A new study by the University of Gothenburg suggests that patients who undergo weight loss surgery may have a low risk of getting hematological cancer.
Key points:
Researchers associate the effects of bariatric surgery for weight loss on blood cancer risks and mortality in patients.
They suggest that weight loss surgery may reduce the risk of blood cancer by 40%.
Bariatric surgery may also cut obesity-related cancer risks by more than half.
Women who had high blood sugar levels at the beginning of the study seemed to benefit more from weight loss surgery.
Did you know that approximately one person dies from blood cancer every 9 minutes in the United States? The disease is expected to account for an estimated 57,380 deaths in 2023, around 9.4% of total cancer deaths in the US.
The causes of blood cancer are still not fully understood; however, people who are obese or overweight are more likely to be at risk. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine recently published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. It suggests that being obese or overweight may increase the risk of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP).
This type of blood condition causes inflammation in the body, changing the bone marrow that stimulates the production of blood cells. This may increase the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases and blood cancer. Around 5.8% of 47,000 individuals with CHIP (research population) were found to have a significant waist-to-hip ratio, indicating obesity or overweight.
Risk of Blood Cancer Likely to Reduce in People Who Had Bariatric Surgery
For decades, there have been ongoing scientific studies showing the association between obesity and a higher risk of various types of cancer. Several studies also suggest that women with obesity are at a higher risk of getting cancer than men. However, until now, there has been a lack of science-based evidence backing the link between obesity, bariatric surgery, and blood cancer.
To understand how weight loss can impact blood cancer, the researchers at the University of Gothenburg studied 2,007 patients who have had bariatric surgery. They compared them to another group of 2,040 obese people who did not undergo weight loss surgery. Both groups were compared based on their age, gender, body composition, psychological variables, and cardiovascular risk factors.
During the study period, only 34 individuals in the group of bariatric surgery were found to develop blood cancer, parallel to dramatic weight loss. However, this number was 51 in the non-surgical group who were still severely obese. Furthermore, researchers found lymphoma to be the most common type of blood cancer in these groups.
When studied separately, people who have had bariatric surgery witnessed a reduction of 55% in the risk of getting lymphoma. On the other hand, there was a 40% reduction in risk for all types of blood cancers.
Significant Improvements Found in Women Who Have Had Bariatric Surgery
According to the Swedish Obese Subjects study at the University of Gothenburg, women who had high blood sugar at the beginning of the study were found to benefit more from weight loss surgery. The researchers suggest that high blood sugar is a crucial factor influencing cancer development. The lower risk of blood cancer was more prominent in women whose blood glucose levels were high at the start. Hence, the benefits of bariatric surgery are linked to initial blood sugar levels.
How Weight Loss through Bariatric Surgery is Associated with Reduced Risks of Blood Cancer?
The above study highlights that the association between obesity and blood cancer is complex and may be caused due to several factors. As discussed earlier in this article, clonal hematopoiesis or chronic inflammation are some genetic disorders that can increase the risks of hematological cancer.
Bariatric surgery involves making significant changes to the digestive system that can help lose weight. Surgical weight loss procedures such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty are performed to revise the structure of the stomach. This impacts the stimulation of hormones influencing blood sugar metabolism, appetite, or a feeling of fullness.
It brings significant metabolic improvements, helping reduce insulin resistance and inflammation. All these factors can significantly lower the risks of hematological cancer. Furthermore, factors like post-surgical lifestyle changes, proper nutrition, fasting, and nutrigenomics may also play a key role in cancer prevention.
Bariatric Surgery and Reduced Risk of Other Cancer Types
According to the National Cancer Institute, people who are obese or overweight have a higher risk of having at least 13 types of cancer. Bariatric surgery may help people effectively lose weight and mitigate the risks of various obesity-related health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or even cancer.
A new study, led by Omar Ghanem, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic, analyzed earlier research to understand this association - and found that weight loss surgery can dramatically reduce the risk of getting 5 types of cancers that are not associated with hormone levels. As per the new study, people who have had bariatric surgery were less diagnosed with cancer in comparison to obese people who did not undergo the surgery.
The researchers also found that weight loss surgery may substantially reduce the risk of five of the most common cancer types: lung, kidney, colorectal, esophageal, and urinary tract cancer.
The Bottom line
Bariatric surgery is likely to reduce the risk of cancer, including hematological cancer, in severely obese or overweight people - new research suggests. The surgical procedures may typically combat cancer triggers by improving metabolic function, reducing inflammation, and increasing insulin resistance.
