Obesity linked to higher cancer risk.

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of at least 13 types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon and rectum cancer, and liver cancer. Excess weight can cause body changes that can lead to cancer-related conditions such as inflammation and higher than normal levels of hormones. More than 684,000 cancers associated with excess weight are diagnosed in the US each year, and excess weight is thought to be responsible for about 11% of cancers in women and 5% in men. Keeping a healthy weight is one of the most important steps people can take to lower their risk for cancer.