Bariatric surgery has been found to lower the risk of cancer in women, according to a new study published in Obesity. The research, which examined multiple surgical procedures and included a larger sample size and longer follow-up period, revealed that bariatric surgery was associated with lower overall cancer incidence and a reduced risk of obesity-related cancers among female patients.
Previous population studies have established a positive link between body mass index and cancer incidence. However, it has been unclear whether voluntary weight loss can actually lead to a decreased cancer risk, as achieving significant and sustained weight loss in large populations is often challenging. The study’s authors noted that bariatric surgery, which results in substantial and maintained weight loss, has shown promising outcomes in reducing cancer incidence and mortality compared to non-surgical subjects.
The study, conducted by researchers at Intermountain Surgical Specialities and the University of Utah, involved nearly 22,000 bariatric surgery patients who were retrospectively compared to non-surgical subjects with severe obesity. The participants were matched based on age, sex, and body mass index. The Utah Population Database, which includes data from birth and death certificates, the Utah Cancer Registry, and driver license information, was utilized for the study.
The results revealed that the bariatric surgery group had a 25% lower risk of developing any form of cancer compared to the non-surgery group. Specifically, female bariatric surgery patients had a 41% lower risk of developing obesity-related cancers compared to their non-surgical counterparts. However, the study did not find a significant reduction in cancer risk for male bariatric surgery patients.
The researchers observed a significant decrease in the risk of several cancers among female bariatric surgery patients, including uterine, ovarian, colon, pre-menopausal breast, and post-menopausal breast cancer. Additionally, the study showed that female bariatric surgery patients had a 47% lower mortality rate from cancer compared to matched non-surgery female subjects.
Lead author Ted D. Adams, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of confirming consistent results across multiple studies, stating, This research represents another important study that strongly supports the long-term benefits of weight loss surgery in the prevention of cancer. The study’s findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the significant weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery can lead to a decreased risk of various types of cancer.
David B. Sarwer, Ph.D., an expert not associated with the study, emphasized the significance of the research and its implications for those with obesity. Sarwer stated, The results of this study add to the literature indicating that the large weight loss seen with bariatric surgery decreases the risk of several types of cancer… Persons with obesity and their healthcare providers should strongly consider these benefits when discussing the pros and cons of bariatric surgery.
The study’s authors recommended further mechanistic research to better understand the cancer prevention benefits of bariatric surgery. The findings highlight the potential of bariatric surgery in reducing cancer risk, particularly among women. As obesity continues to be a health concern globally, these findings provide valuable insights into the potential long-term benefits of weight loss surgery in cancer prevention.
