Key points from article :
Lifelong excess weight may almost double a woman’s risk of developing womb cancer, research suggests.
About one in three cases in the UK (34%) are linked to excess weight.
Every five extra BMI units, a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer increases by 88%.
Five BMI units is the equivalent of a 5ft 5in adult woman being two stones heavier
“Studies like this bolster the fact that being overweight or obese is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK", said Dr. Julie Sharp (head of health information at CRUK).
“This will play a pivotal role in uncovering how to prevent and treat cancer in the future."
The study looked at endometrial cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus – the endometrium.
One in 36 women born after 1960 in the UK will be diagnosed with womb cancer in their lifetime.
Genetic samples from 120,000 women were examined. About 13,000 of them had womb cancer.
Researchers found two hormones – fasting insulin and testosterone – which increased the risk of womb cancer.
Experts hope that in the future drugs could be used to target specific hormones in people vulnerable to developing cancer.
Research by University of Bristol published in the journal BMC Medicine.
