Overweight and obesity are risk factors that are associated with a higher incidence of several types of cancer.

However, weight loss can reduce cancer risk.

Endometrial, colon, and postmenopausal breast cancer represent two‑thirds of the cancers associated with a high body mass index in the United States. Body mass index is the measurement used to calculate a person’s degree of corpulence.

In general, excess weight is the third most common risk factor for cancer (the first is smoking tobacco, and the second is infection).

Excess weight and obesity by themselves increase the risk of several types of cancer, including esophageal, colon, pancreatic, liver, and postmenopausal breast cancer.

In the U.S., weight problems are estimated to contribute to about 14% of cancer deaths in men and 20% in women.

Excess body fat can lead to insulin resistance.

This prevents cells from processing glucose correctly, causing them to divide more rapidly.

People with obesity tend to have higher blood levels of inflammatory cytokines, which can cause chronic inflammation and stimulate cell division.

Fat cells can raise estrogen levels, which in turn increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women.

Some studies have shown that weight loss in people with overweight or obesity can help reduce cancer risk.

Overweight and obesity are leading risk factors for some types of cancer, including breast cancer.

Bringing your weight into a healthy range can help protect you from developing some types of cancer.

Exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

The guidance is to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise or walking five days a week (150 minutes per week).

You should follow a balanced, healthy diet to lose weight gradually and effectively.

Your diet should contain less saturated fat and no trans fat. Include more fish and chicken than red meat and eliminate high‑sugar products; doing so will help lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Some studies have found that maintaining a healthy weight after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can help reduce the risk of recurrence.