Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Obesity blamed for huge rise in kidney cancer
40% more cases in past 10 yrs
OBESITY has sparked a boom in kidney cancer cases, experts have warned.
In 10 years the number of people with the killer disease in England has soared 40%. Scientists believe 20,000 cases, around one in four, is due to excessive weight as the cancer may be linked to over-production of the hormone insulin. Cancer Research UK fear the rise will continue. The charity’s Dr Julie Sharp said: “Being overweight or obese is linked to 13 types of cancer, including kidney which is becoming more common.” She said, like smoking, with obesity the damage builds up and increases the risk of cancer. She urged small changes in diet and physical activity to attain and keep a healthy weight. Each year kidney cancer kills about 4,300 in the UK. Former sufferer, lawyer and dad-of-four Adam Freeman, 46, said: “I ducked exercise and ate badly a bit too often. Since diagnosis, I try to listen to the angel rather than the devil on my shoulder.”