Obesity is associated with a variety of health risk factors increasing the possibility of cancer. According to a 2017 review of the latest obesity-cancer science, a wide variety of obesity-related factors have established roles in tumorigenesis and tumor proliferation, including dysregulation of insulin, cell surface growth factors, inflammation-related molecules, and hormones. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar level, is also associated with obesity and often a precursor to Type II diabetes and cancer. The 2017 review establishes that “obesity is attendant to profound metabolic changes that promote tumor growth.”

While pharmaceutical and medical treatments for obesity and its resulting complications are available, patients should always first try to control obesity by managing exercise and caloric intake. Most people find consultations with a family practitioner helpful. In cancer patients, control of obesity is a particularly tricky challenge because cancer often already causes weight loss due to loss of appetite, literally starving the patient to death. Nutrition and weight stability are areas of great concern to oncologists, and unwanted weight-loss is often cause for dietary or pharmaceutical intervention.

However, for healthy people and cancer patients alike, several dietary approaches to controlling obesity can “inhibit cancer development and progression”, and sometimes should be done under the care of a physician. Such strategies include intermittent fasting (caloric restriction) and special diets, such as ketogenic diets. A ketogenic diet is one which is rich in fat and low in carbs, usually in a ratio of at least 4:1. This is similar in concept to the low-carb Atkins diet, and the “good carb, good fat” South Beach diet.

Source: CourageousCompany Info
“Obesity and Cancer”