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Doc Talk: Excessive body weight is No. 2 leading preventable cause of cancer after smoking
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There is no “safe window” in life to gain those extra kilos.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY
Wong Seng Weng
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- Excess weight significantly increases cancer risk, with 13 obesity-related cancers accounting for 40 per cent of US cancer cases.
- Cancer risk rises with increased weight, even with modest weight gain. Studies show that losing weight can reduce cancer risk.
- GLP-1 drugs show promise in reducing cancer risk but require caution due to potential side effects and the need for long-term studies.
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SINGAPORE – The evidence is clear: Excessive body weight increases cancer risk. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says so. The American Cancer Society and the Health Promotion Board of Singapore agree.
And yet, many people who struggle with weight can always find a reason not to act.
