Scientists calculated individuals carrying this extra weight could contribute to more than 12,000 cases of cancer in the UK population every year. 

 

They warn if obesity² levels continue to rise there may be an additional 3,700 cancers diagnosed annually³. 

 

The study of five million people is the largest to date to confirm the link.

 

 

Doctors often warn being overweight can increase the risk of developing cancer, but this study highlights those forms of the disease where the risk is greatest.

 

Led by scientists from the London School of Hygiene⁴ and Tropical Medicine researchers gathered data on five million people living in the UK, monitoring changes to their health over a period of seven years.

 

They found each 13-16kg of extra weight an average adult gained was linked firmly and linearly to a greater risk of six cancers.

 

How big this risk was varied⁵ depending on tumour⁶ type. 

 

People who had a high body mass index (calculated using weight and height) were also more likely to develop cancer of the liver, colon⁷, ovaries, and post-menopausal breast cancer. 

 

But the effects for these cancers were less clear-cut and were influenced by individual factors such as the menopause.

 

Researchers say though obesity was associated with the development of the most common cancers - which represent 90% of the cancers diagnosed in the UK, some showed no link at all.

 

And there is some evidence to suggest a higher BMI is associated with a lower chance of getting prostate cancer.

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