Intentional Weight Loss and Obesity-Related Cancer Risk. Issue 4 (9th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Juhua; Hendryx, Michael; Manson, JoAnn E; Figueiredo, Jane C; LeBlanc, Erin S; Barrington, Wendy; Rohan, Thomas E; Howard, Barbara V; Reding, Kerryn; Ho, Gloria Yf; Garcia, David O; Chlebowski, Rowan T
• Is Part Of: JNCI cancer spectrum. Volume 3:Issue 4(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-08-09
• DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkz054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-5091

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Epidemiologic studies regarding weight loss and subsequent cancer risk are sparse. The study aim was to evaluate the association between weight change by intentionality and obesity-related cancer incidence in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Eleven cancers were considered obesity related: breast, ovary, endometrium, colon and rectum, esophagus, kidney, liver, multiple myeloma, pancreas, stomach, and thyroid. Methods: Postmenopausal women (n = 58 667) aged 50–79 years had body weight and waist circumference (WC) measured at baseline and year 3. Weight or WC change was categorized as stable (change < ±5%), loss (≥5%), and gain (≥5%). Self-report at year 3 characterized weight loss as intentional or unintentional. During the subsequent 12 years (mean) of follow-up, 6033 incident obesity-related cancers were identified. Relationships were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: Compared to women with stable weight, women with intentional weight loss had lower obesity-related cancer risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80 to 0.98). A similar result was observed for intentional WC reduction (HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.80 to 0.96). Among all cancers, intentional weight loss was most strongly associated with endometrial cancer (HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42 to 0.88). Intentional WC loss was also associated with lower colorectal cancer risk (HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.63 to 0.99). Unintentional weight loss or weight gain was not associated with overall obesity-related cancer risk. Conclusion: Intentional weight or WC loss in postmenopausal women was associated with lower risk of obesity-related cancer. These findings suggest that postmenopausal women who intentionally lose weight can reduce their obesity-related cancer risk.