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Overweight, obesity and cancer risk

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing a number of different types of cancer.  A summary of the evidence linking overweight and obesity with cancer risk is outlined below.

Level of evidence Increase risk of:
Convincing*
  • Oesophageal cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Bowel cancer
  • Breast cancer (in women who have had their menopause)
  • Endometrial cancer (lining of the womb or uterus)
  • Kidney cancer
Probable*
  • Gall bladder cancer

*Click on word for definition (in a new window).

(Source: World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. Washington DC: AICR, 2007)

Maintaining a healthy body weight throughout life is one of the most important ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

To find out more about how overweight and obesity can increase your cancer risk see the position statement on Overweight, obesity and cancer prevention.