Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Does Not Pose Added Cancer Risk Study Says
- ‘Breaking Bad’ actor Jesse Plemons, 36, has lost noticeable weight by intermittent fasting since last year. However, popular weight-loss drugs have proven effective for countless others.
- Ozempic, the brand name of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide. It’s also known by the brand names Rybelsu and Wegovy. It is an FDA-approved prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Prior concerns existed about whether these weight-loss drugs can pose a cancer risk for thyroid and colorectal cancers. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recently reported the GLP-1 hormone, which is released by the gut in response to food, does not pose a cancer risk.
- A study reported in the medical journal JAMA Network analyzed data to learn if GLP-1 increased colorectal cancer risk. The researchers say GLP-1 RAs (receptor agonists) – a class of drugs that helps manage blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes – noted a “decreased risk” for colorectal cancer.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Being overweight or having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer.” Some of these cancers include breast, colon, ovarian, and stomach (gastric).
“Breaking Bad” actor Jesse Plemons, 36, went against the grain to lose roughly 50 pounds amid a year-long health and wellness journey that involved intermittent fasting and not popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Ozempic and Wegovy (generic name: semaglutide) continue gaining momentum among women and men wishing to lose weight. The drugs can do more than help users feel better about themselves. They can also help reduce cancer risk by helping users offset their risk of obesity, a known cancer risk factor.
Amid the drugs’ popularity, prior concerns existed about whether these weight-loss drugs can pose a cancer risk for thyroid and colorectal cancers. This year, ASCO Daily News – a news resource for the American Society of Clinical Oncology – reported the GLP-1 hormone, which is released by the gut in response to food, does not pose a cancer risk.
Semaglutide works by impacting the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP) GLP-1 hormone.
Integral to blood sugar control, GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut in response to food. It causes the pancreas to release insulin. A rising blood insulin level causes all body tissues to absorb glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream, lowering blood glucose levels. GLP-1 also prevents the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by stimulating liver cells to release glucose and helps people feel full for longer. These effects can also cause people to lose weight.
A study reported in the medical journal JAMA Network analyzed data to learn if GLP-1 increased colorectal cancer risk. The researchers say GLP-1 RAs (receptor agonists) – a class of drugs that helps manage blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes – noted a “decreased risk” for colorectal cancer. The decrease stems from the drug’s ability to reduce obesity risk – a known risk factor for colorectal cancer.
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Cancer Risk and Obesity
Bodyweight can be a sensitive subject for many people on any given day. However, among cancer patients whose treatment and diagnosis may influence their weight, the numbers on the scale fuel an already emotional journey.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Being overweight or having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer.”
Research published in the journal “Cancers” says that “Obesity also increases the risk of dying from cancer and may influence the treatment choices. About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity.”
Some of the cancers associated with being overweight or obese include:
- Colon
- Breast
- Ovarian
- Esophagus
- Pancreatic
- Multiple myeloma
- Endometrial
- Liver
WATCH: Living a healthy lifestyle.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), fat tissue “produces excess amounts of estrogen,” which is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. The NCI says a person who is severely obese is “7 times” more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
Obesity is associated with high levels of insulin, which can lead to colon, kidney, prostate, and endometrial cancer.
Obesity can affect cancer survivors in various ways, including the chance of cancer recurrence and overall quality of life.
To learn more about your ideal healthy weight, determine your body mass index (BMI).
Body weight that exceeds what the body mass index deems appropriate for your weight and height can help determine body fat content. Although your BMI can help you learn if you are at a healthy weight, underweight, overweight, or obese, other factors may contribute to your overall health.
The NCI analyzed several studies to observe physical activity’s impact on overall cancer risk. The NCI says that “higher levels of physical activity are linked to lower risk of several types of cancer.”
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing stress are some ways people can practice leading a healthy life. For cancer survivors, a healthier lifestyle alongside getting regular checks for recurrence may improve your quality of life.
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