Role of Obesity in Cancer Survival and Recurrence: Workshop Summary.

摘要

Recent research suggests that obesity and excess weight can play a prominent role in the incidence and progression of various cancers. Obesity results from an energy imbalance--that is, energy intake that is higher than energy expenditure--that could also influence the growth of cancers. In addition, by generating hormones and growth factors, and by fostering inflammation, fat tissue could directly fuel the growth of tumors, thereby affecting cancer incidence, progression, recurrence, and survival rates. Given the current obesity epidemic and an aging population more susceptible to cancer, there is mounting concern about the role that obesity plays in malignancies. There is also interest in exploring possible interventions to break the obesity--cancer link, especially in patients already diagnosed with cancer, who are at risk for cancer progression and recurrence and are also more susceptible to developing new cancers. Cancer survivors currently number 12 million in the United States and are rapidly increasing in number. Recognizing the impact that current findings on obesity and cancer could have on future cancer prevention and care, the National Cancer Policy Forum (NCPF) of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) held a 2-day workshop on The Role of Obesity in Cancer Survival and Recurrence.