Lifelong excess weight almost doubles the risk of developing womb cancer, shows study

Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.Apr 19 2022

New research shows that lifelong excess weight almost doubles a woman's risk of developing womb cancer, according to a Cancer Research UK-funded study published today in BMC Medicine.

The study from the University of Bristol is one of the first to find that for every 5 extra BMI units, a woman's risk of womb (endometrial) cancer is almost doubled (increase of 88%). This is higher than most previous studies have suggested and reflects lifelong weight status rather than a snapshot in time like most other studies. 5 BMI units is the difference between the overweight category and the obese category, or of a 5'5 adult woman being two stones heavier.

The international study looked at genetic samples from around 120,000 women from Australia, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the UK, and the USA of which around 13,000 had womb cancer. This large statistical analysis is one of the first studies of its kind to look at the effect of lifelong greater BMI on womb cancer risk.

The researchers looked at markers of 14 traits, which could link obesity and womb cancer. They uncovered two hormones - fasting insulin and testosterone – which increased the risk of being diagnosed with womb cancer. By pinpointing exactly how obesity increases the risk of cancer, such as through hormones, scientists in the future could use drugs to reduce or increase the level of these hormones in people already at a higher risk of cancer. For example, drugs like metformin used in diabetes treatment can reduce the levels of hormones and research suggests this drug also affects cancer risk, though further study is ongoing.

Womb cancer is one of the cancer types most closely linked with obesity. It's the most common gynecological cancer in high income countries and is the fourth most common cancer for women in the UK – 1 in 36 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. And of UK womb cancer cases, it's estimated that around a third are caused by being overweight and obese.

Being overweight or obese is the second highest preventable cause of cancer in the UK. It's estimated that more than one in 20 cancer cases in the UK are caused by excess weight.

This study is an interesting first step into how genetic analyses could be used to uncover exactly how obesity causes cancer, and what can be done to tackle it. Links between obesity and womb cancer are well-known but this is one of the largest studies which has looked into exactly why that is on a molecular level. We look forward to further research exploring how we can now use this information to help reduce the risk of cancer in people struggling with obesity."

Emma Hazelwood, lead author of the paper

Dr Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK said: "Cancer Research UK has been leading the way in uncovering links between obesity and cancer for years. Studies like this bolster the fact that being overweight or obese is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK and can help us start to pinpoint why. This will play a pivotal role in uncovering how to prevent and treat cancer in the future.

"More research is needed to investigate exactly which treatments and drugs could be used to manage cancer risk among people struggling with obesity. We already know that being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing 13 different types of cancer. To reduce your cancer risk, it's important to maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and staying active."

Kath's story

When Kath first started experiencing bleeding in 2013, she put it down to the menopause. Despite urges from her daughter to get checked out, she carried on doing the job she loved – working as a bra fitter in Debenhams Trafford. But just before Christmas in 2013, she had a heavy bleed which prompted her to make an appointment with the doctor.

In January 2014, Kath went to her GP and was referred to Royal Bolton Hospital where she had a biopsy. She was diagnosed with womb cancer.

"When you hear the word cancer your mind runs riot and I was thinking: 'Am I going to live to see my grandchildren grow up?'" Kath said.

"I felt sick as I didn't know what was going on. It was as though I was in a dream. I was devastated when I found out and cried with my husband holding my hand."

Thankfully, Kath's cancer was caught at the earliest possible stage, which meant she could have life-saving surgery which removed her ovaries and cervix. The operation removed all the cancer, which meant she didn't need radiotherapy or chemotherapy, and she is now cancer free.

But her journey did not end there.

"After finishing my treatment I wanted to make some changes," Kath said.

"We don't know what caused my cancer, but I have to admit that I was carrying a few extra pounds. So now I exercise and eat better to be healthier. I also wanted to be a role model for my family."

Kath takes part in CRUK's Race For Life every year, raising both money and awareness about cancer.

"Reading some of the words on people's backs about why they were running brought it all back to me about how important this is," Kath said.

"My daughter's notes said: 'Running for our Mum who beat womb cancer!'"

"It's worrying to see that womb cancer rates are on the rise, and although weight isn't the only risk factor, I want to encourage other women to live healthily so that fewer women go through what I went through.

"I hope that my story helps others make a change in their life."