Researchers in Europe are saying obesity may become the leading cause of cancer in women in the coming years, according to the Associated Press.
Being overweight or obese currently accounts for as many as 20 percent of cancers in the U.S. and eight percent of cancers in Europe. That number is expected to sharply increase as the obesity epidemic continues and other major causes of cancer, like smoking and hormone replacement therapy for post-menopausal women, decrease.
Scientists involved with the study say in that in 2002, some 70,000 out of about 2 million cancer cases were attributable to being overweight or obese. By 2008, the number had jumped to at least 124,000.
Warning people about the risks of being overweight has not helped in the battle against fat, say the studys authors. “We need to find the biological mechanism to help people find other ways of tackling obesity,” said Andrew Renehan, a cancer expert at the University of Manchester, quoted by the AP.
Among the types of cancers believed to be caused by excessive weight are colorectal, breast and endometrial cancers.
For those trying to shed pounds, health practitioners have recommended the alkaline diet. It is based on citrus fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts and legumes.