WEIGHT GAIN AFTER CANCER? FACT OR FICTION?

DOES CANCER = WEIGHT GAIN?  IS IT A GIVEN?

Hello Everyone and Welcome to another #FACTUAL FRIDAY.

In case you missed it, a recent study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City finds that obesity is more common among we cancer survivors in the United States than the general population.

Now, this finding is based on a sample group of 539,000 American adults studied between the years of 1997 and 2014. In the control group of people with no history of cancer, the percentage of individuals considered obese in 1997 was 21 percent. This rose to a percentage of 29 percent by 2014 for an overall increase of 8 percent.

In the group of people with a history of cancer, the obesity rate of individuals went from 22 percent in 1997 to 32 percent by 2014. So, the increase of the obesity rate in cancer survivors rose 10 percent over the 17- year period.

And, here are the details:

• Women survivors of colorectal cancer had the greatest increase in obesity rates especially among young, black women between 2005 and 2014. For male survivors, the greatest increase was among older, black men between 1997 and 2004.
• For women survivors of breast cancer, the obesity rates increased most among young, white women one year after diagnosis between 2013 and 2014.
• Male survivors of prostate cancer who were younger, white and diagnosed between 2005 and 2014 experienced the greatest increase in obesity rates.

So, what are we to do? Should we be worried? After all, like many of you I am a multiple cancer survivor of both colorectal AND breast cancer.

But, here are 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER when analyzing this study:

1. First, remember the study showed an increase in obesity of people with no cancer history of 8 percent from 21 to 29 percent. In those people with a cancer history the rate rose 10 percent from 22 to 32 percent. That’s only a difference of 2 percentage points between the two groups. Overall, it really doesn’t sound too significant for a study period of 17 years.
2. Second, 17 years is a long time. And, over time human beings tend to gain weight – no matter what – as we get older. So, it’s hard to really know if the weight gain in the cancer group was due to the cancer OR just the body’s natural aging process.
3. Third, many of the colorectal cancer survivors may have undergone surgery known as an anterior resection as I did. As a result, the digestive tract is different. It can take a while to learn how it works best and what diet works best. But, this is a result of the surgery, not the cancer. And, it can be remedied.
4. Fourth, the breast cancer survivors studied were women who gained their weight within one year of diagnosis between 2013 and 2014. Many treatments during the first year, including certain drugs or steroids can definitely cause a woman to gain weight during this time. And, often when the drugs are discontinued so is the weight gain.
5. Fifth, when recovering from cancer we don’t always have a lot of energy. It’s sometimes hard to get things done. And, it can be especially challenging to exercise. Weight gain, therefore, might be remedied easily with moderate exercise. Again, that means this weight gain is not really a result of the cancer, but a result of a lack of exercise.

So, I think it’s far too early to panic 🙂 The difference in obesity rates between the two groups studied is not a large one. And, there are several things we can do to monitor our weight after cancer. It’s simply not a given that if you are diagnosed with cancer you have an increased chance of becoming obese.

Always remember to talk with your HealthCare Provider Team and your Primary Physician. Express your doubts and worries. Together you can come up with a plan that works for your particular situation. And, if it seems that weight gain is becoming a potential problem, tackle it head on.

Believe me, if I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!

Thanks again for joining me everyone. Until next time stay in GOOD HEALTH and,

TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!