Rise in cancer cases is linked to obesity

REGION SEES 30% INCREASE IN KIDNEY PATIENTS

Reporter AN obesity crisis gripping the North East has helped fuel an increase in kidney cancer of almost 30% in 10 years, a charity has warned.

People in the region are being encouraged to be more active, following new figures released by Cancer Research UK today highlighting the link between obesity and kidney cancer.

An estimated 20,000 kidney cancer cases have been caused by obesity over the last decade in England, bleak figures by the charity reveal.

And in the North East alone, kidney cancer rates have increased by 27% over the last 10 years.

A decade ago, around 345 people were diagnosed with kidney cancer every year in the North East. Today, that stands at around 490 people a year – around 295 men and 195 women in the region.

And Cancer Research UK projections show that, by 2035, rates are predicted to increase by a further 26% in the UK, making kidney cancer one of the fastest growing cancer types.

Around a quarter (24%) of kidney cancer cases are linked to carrying excess weight, while 24% are linked to smoking.

Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK’s head of health information, said: “It’s concerning to see kidney cancer cases rising like this. Being overweight or obese is linked to 13 types of cancer, including kidney which is becoming more and more common. “Similar to smoking, where damage to cells builds up over time and increases the risk of cancer, damage from carrying excess weight accumulates over a person’s lifetime. Making small changes in eating, drinking and being physically active that you can stick with in the long term, is a good way to get to a healthy weight – and stay there.” Scientists have yet to unravel exactly how being overweight or obese causes kidney cancer, but one explanation could be insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone which is important in the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats, and the kidneys help process this hormone in the body. Excess weight can lead to insulin resistance, which can cause levels of insulin to rise, telling cells to divide more rapidly. Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North East, said: “It can be challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle but just making a few small changes can have a real impact. “One way for women to get a little more active is to sign up to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life events which are taking place across the North East.” Dr Julie Sharp