Unintentional Weight Loss Linked to Increased Cancer Risk, Study Finds

The study, involving over 150,000 participants, strengthens previous research connecting unexpected weight loss with an increased risk for several types of cancer.

• Unintentional weight loss is associated with an increase in the risk of a cancer diagnosis within the coming year, according to a study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
• Compared with participants who did not lose weight, recent weight loss was associated with significantly increased risk for several types of cancer, including upper gastrointestinal tract, hematological, colorectal, and lung cancers.
• The study assessed 157,474 participants in two large longitudinal studies: the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.
• Weight loss promoting behaviors were classified into 'high' for those making both dietary improvements and increases to physical activity, 'medium' if they made only one change, and 'low' if they made no changes to diet and exercise.
• This study strengthens findings from past research that connected unexpected weight loss with an increased cancer risk.

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