
- July 2016 Digestive Health
- Volume 82
- Issue 7
Overweight Colorectal Cancer Patients Could Fare Better
Although higher body mass indexes are associated with a number of health risks, the results of a recent study suggest that overweight patients who develop colorectal cancer may have a better prognosis than those with a healthy weight.
Although higher body mass indexes (BMIs) are associated with a number of health risks, the results of a recent study suggest that overweight patients who develop colorectal cancer may have a better prognosis than those with a healthy weight. After adjusting the data to account for socioeconomic, demographic, disease severity, prediagnosis BMI, smoking, and other factors, the researchers found that patients who were in the high-overweight category (BMI of 28-30) at diagnosis had a 48% lower mortality risk overall and a 55% lower mortality risk related to colorectal cancer compared with patients whose weight was considered to be low to normal (BMI of 18.5-23). However, patients who were underweight (BMI below 18.5) or obese (BMI ≥35) at diagnosis were found to have an elevated mortality risk compared with patients in the low-normal-weight category.
The study authors noted that further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms responsible for this apparent paradox. “The current findings, and previous and ongoing research on the obesity paradox, suggest that recommendations for the ideal weight range associated with the best outcomes after a cancer diagnosis may not be the same as the ideal weight range to prevent cancer,” said senior author Bette J. Caan, DrPH, in a press release. “And just as treatment differs by cancer, ideal weight recommendations may vary according to cancer site.”
Articles in this issue
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2016 Lifetime Leadership Finalistsabout 9 years ago
2016 Specialty Pharmacist of the Year Finalistsabout 9 years ago
2016 Technology Innovator of the Year Finalistsabout 9 years ago
2016 Technician of the Year Finalistsabout 9 years ago
2016 Rising Star of the Year Finalistsabout 9 years ago
2016 Patient Care Provider of the Year Finalistsabout 9 years ago
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2016 Health-System Pharmacist of the Year Finalistsabout 9 years ago
2016 Civic Leader of the Year Finalistsabout 9 years ago
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