1 cm on the waist = higher risk of colon cancer

There is an increased risk of developing large bowel cancer for every 1cm gained on the waist. This comes after experts released compelling evidence at the United European Gastroenterology Week conference in Barcelona. Professor John Mathers, from Newcastle University, revealed that the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) was increased by nearly 60% in men whose waist circumference had increased by 10cm over a 10 year period. He also claimed that this increased cancer risk may be due to the fact that there is persistent inflammation in people with visceral obesity.

Prof. Mathers said that this evidence shows that improved lifestyle, better dietary choices, and being more active, will not only help fight obesity, but also the risks that being obese carries, such as the increased bowel cancer risk. He conceded that the area requires more study, so that we can find out whether other types of cancer are affected, and also what the possible long-term interventions could be, citing the use of aspirin due to its anti-inflammatory effects.