Weight gain linked to aggressive prostate cancer
20 January 2012
Men who keep their weight down as they age may be less likely to develop more aggressive prostate cancer, Australian researchers suggest.
Using data from a study of more than 17,000 men, the researchers showed that those who gained weight between the age of 18 years and entering the study between 40 and 69 years of age had a higher risk of more aggressive prostate cancer and death.
The risk of death from prostate cancer increased by 13 per cent for every 5 kg of weight put on, and men who gained 20 kg or more in adulthood had nearly double the risk (84 per cent increased risk).
Studies looking for associations between BMI and prostate cancer have produced inconsistent results, but a link makes sense as excess body fat is associated with conditions that might contribute to aggressive disease such as hormone imbalance, insulin resistance and inflammation.
In addition, prostate cancer detection may be delayed in obese men due to lower circulating concentrations of testosterone and PSA (prostate specific antigen) and this could explain the higher risk of fatal cancer in men with high weight gain compared to the risk of non aggressive disease.
“Our findings, if confirmed by other prospective studies, suggest that excessive weight gain might increase the risk of prostate cancer mortality and a low adult BMI might be associated with reduced prostate cancer risk,” they wrote.
Last Reviewed: 19 January 2012
- Bassett JK, Severi G, Baglietto L, et al. Weight change and prostate cancer incidence and mortality. Int J Cancer 2011, in press. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijc.27414/abstract
