A new study has shown that bariatric surgery, a weight-loss procedure, can significantly reduce the risk of obesity-associated cancer.
Researchers found that just 4% of patients who underwent bariatric surgery developed obesity-associated cancer in a 10-year follow-up, compared to 8.9% among those who did not have the procedure.
The study analyzed records of more than 55,700 patients with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery, comparing them with the same number of similar patients who did not have surgery.
Patients who had sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, or gastric band procedures were included, and researchers controlled for risk factors that play a role in cancer formation.
In the 10 years of follow-up, the number of patients who developed obesity-associated cancers was 2,206 among those who underwent bariatric surgery, compared to 4,960 among those who did not have surgery.
The bariatric surgery cohort had consistently lower numbers of new cases for virtually all types of obesity-related cancer, including breast, colon, liver, pancreas, ovarian, and thyroid.
Researchers need more data to fully understand how bariatric surgery affects cancer risk, but these findings suggest that the strong weight loss associated with bariatric surgery may have a protective effect against cancer formation as well.
Dr. Vibhu Chittajallu, the study’s lead author and a gastroenterology fellow at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals, said,
“The primary benefits people consider when they think about bariatric surgery is weight loss and the accompanying physical and psychological benefits, such as improved blood pressure and diabetes.
This study adds to the building evidence that the significant weight loss associated with bariatric surgery may have a protective effect against cancer formation as well.”
These results are an exciting avenue for further study in understanding the relationship between bariatric surgery and cancer risk reduction.
How to have weight loss surgery effectively and safely
Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is a serious procedure that requires careful consideration and planning. If you are considering weight loss surgery, here are some tips to ensure it is effective and safe:
Choose a reputable surgeon and facility: Do your research and choose a surgeon and facility with a good reputation and a history of successful procedures. Ask for recommendations from your primary care physician, read reviews, and verify credentials.
Understand the risks and benefits: Weight loss surgery is a major procedure that comes with risks, including infection, bleeding, and blood clots. It is important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the surgery before making a decision.
Follow pre-surgery guidelines: Your surgeon will provide guidelines to follow before the surgery, including dietary changes and physical activity recommendations. Follow these guidelines closely to prepare your body for the procedure and minimize risks.
Attend all pre-surgery appointments: Your surgeon may require you to attend several appointments before the surgery to ensure you are a good candidate and to discuss the procedure and recovery process. Attend all appointments and ask any questions you may have.
Follow post-surgery guidelines: After the surgery, you will need to follow a strict diet and exercise plan to promote weight loss and minimize complications. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines to follow, and it is important to stick to them.
Attend follow-up appointments: Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure you are healing properly. Attend all appointments and report any concerns or complications to your surgeon immediately.
Remember, weight loss surgery is not a quick fix and requires a commitment to lifestyle changes to be effective. Work closely with your surgeon and healthcare team to ensure a safe and successful procedure.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies that hop extract could reduce belly fat in overweight people, and early time-restricted eating could help lose weight.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that a low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and can vitamin D help prevent or treat cancer.
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