CARRYING too many pounds almost doubles a woman’s risk of womb cancer, research reveals.
Bristol University scientists analysed data on 120,000 volunteers from seven developed nations, including the UK.
A body mass index between 18 to 25 is within the healthy range, while 25 to 30 is considered overweight, and 30 plus is obese.
Researchers found a woman’s risk of womb cancer jumped by 88 per cent for every five extra BMI units.
On a 5’ 5” woman it equates to being around two stone heavier.
Experts think excess weight upsets levels of two key hormones – insulin and testosterone – helping to fuel the disease.
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The findings could now lead to new treatments to slash womb cancer risk.
The Cancer Research UK-funded study is published in the journal BMC Medicine.
Lead researcher Emma Hazelwood said: “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.”
Womb cancer – also known as endometrial or uterine – affects nearly 10,000 women a year.
The disease is closely linked to obesity, with excess weight responsible for a third of cases.
Experts estimate around one in 36 women will develop the illness in their lifetime, making it the fourth most common gynaecological cancer.
Dr Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK said: “We have 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.
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“To reduce your cancer risk, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet and staying active.”
Scientists estimate more than one in 20 of all cancer cases in the UK is a result of excess weight.
