We've heard obesity can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and stroke but now researchers are finding excess fat is also linked to cancer.
Susan Embrey, a two-time cancer survivor who was walking in Downtown Palm Springs Friday, said obesity had nothing to do with her battle.
"I was 25 years old when I had cancer in my leg and I was not obese. I was skinny," she said.
However, Embrey said she is not surprised by the link.
"When you are obese, (it) increase(s) the amount of estrogen. (They have) linked estrogen to cancer," she said.
In a report released Thursday by the American Institute for Cancer Research, experts show excess body fat caused 49% of edometrial cancer; 35% of esophageal cancer; 28% of pancreatic cancer, 24% of kidney cancer; 21% of gallbladder cancer; 17% of breast cancer; and 9% of colorectal cancer.
There is no conclusive evidence as to why obesity increases a person's risk for cancer.
Doctor Ramy Awad, a General Bariatric Surgeon with Desert Regional Medical Center, offered this hypothesis on why obesity may cause cancer.
"It could be the body's natural state is altered to a point that its taxed and it has to change in a way that it's not used to. Taxation of the body (may result) in transformation of the cells to pre-malignant and malignant conditions," Dr. Awad said.
Not only does obesity raise the risk for getting cancer but doctors say it also makes treatment and survival more difficult. These are reasons why doctors say it is important to keep a balanced diet and exercise.
Embrey said this should be rule of thumb.
"Obesity is an epidemic all by itself. I don't think you should be obese anyway," she said.
Embrey's husband, Wayne, agrees. He said he got his wake-up call.
"I want to live long enough to watch my grandkids grow up. (I) eat a lot better now," he said.
