January 29, 2025
Linked to 13 different cancer types, obesity contributes to 40% of all cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year. Alarmingly, it’s on track to overtake smoking as the leading cause of cancer. Understanding this connection and finding solutions is a complex challenge, but researchers at The University of Kansas Cancer Center are exploring ways to improve prevention, treatment and outcomes.
To address this growing public health concern, scientists at the University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research (KC-MORE), a program led by John Thyfault, PhD, professor of Cell Biology and Physiology, and Steven Weinman, PhD, professor of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Motility, are conducting studies into how obesity influences cancer risk and survival.
“Obesity is not just about body weight. It involves biological, behavioral, societal and economic factors,” explained Dr. Thyfault. “Addressing these layers requires a team effort and research that translates from the lab bench to the bedside.”
How does obesity increase cancer risk?
Obesity disrupts hormonal balance in the body. Excess fat tissue produces high levels of insulin, leptin and other hormones, which can stimulate tumor growth. Additionally, fat tissue and tumors communicate in ways that speed up cancer growth. This interaction varies depending on the cancer type. For example, breast cancer may be influenced by fat in the breast tissue, while pancreatic cancer is affected by abdominal fat. Obesity doesn’t just increase the likelihood of developing cancer, it can also lower survival rates. Research shows that cancer treatments may be less effective in people with obesity.
This hormonal and cellular interplay highlights the importance of studying obesity at the molecular level, a major focus of KC-MORE’s research. Obesity does not just increase the likelihood of developing cancer. It also negatively impacts survival rates.
Research being conducted at KC-MORE also highlights how obesity impacts cancer treatment. Evidence shows that cancer in individuals with obesity may respond less effectively to therapy, and the physical challenges of treatment can be greater due to lower fitness levels and overall strength.
A regional impact
In The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s catchment area, which includes Kansas and western Missouri, nearly 70% of the population are overweight or obese. Dr. Thyfault, who grew up in western Kansas, understands firsthand the struggles many families in this region face.
“I’ve seen how obesity impacts health and families, and my goal has always been to conduct research that directly improves lives,” he said.
This commitment to community health drives researchers to study the relationship between obesity and diseases like cancer, with the goal of turning leading-edge research into actionable solutions.
The role of physical activity and new treatments
Dr. Thyfault’s research also underscores the importance of physical activity in combating obesity and its effects on cancer risk.
“We need to stop focusing only on body weight and start thinking about fitness, strength and movement,” he says.
Physical activity improves health at any size and helps counteract the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, which have been linked to an increased risk of colorectal and other cancers.
In addition, emerging drugs, such as Ozempic, are providing new tools to help individuals achieve weight loss. According to Dr. Thyfault, these treatments should be combined with lifestyle changes like exercise and a well-balanced diet for the best outcomes.
Looking ahead
The groundbreaking research conducted by Dr. Thyfault and researchers at the cancer center is paving the way for better obesity prevention and treatment. By combining leading-edge science with a focus on community health, the cancer center is addressing obesity and cancer in impactful ways.
“Our goal is to translate research into real-world solutions that improve health, reduce cancer risk and give people the tools they need to leave healthier lives,” Dr. Thyfault said.