Editorials

By: J. Paul Perales-Villarroel, M.D.
Adv. GI and Minimally Invasive Surgeon
More than 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2023 in the US, and more than 609,000 cancer deaths (1790 per day) are also expected this year. Obesity is the second most prevalent, preventable and modifiable cancer risk factor after smoking. It has been recognized as an important risk factor in 13 malignancies and can be responsible for 30% to 50% of the cases of liver, gallbladder, esophageal and endometrial cancers. Moreover, obesity increases the risk of pancreatic cancer in 50% to 60% and is currently associated with early-onset colorectal cancer. In obese breast cancer survivors, the risk of lymphedema is higher, and obesity is also associated with a poor quality of life and complications in survivors from other cancers.Read the full article.