Prostate and Gastrointestinal Cancers

Prostate Cancer

Obese men with prostate cancer are more likely to have aggressive tumors and to experience cancer recurrence after surgery compared to men of normal weight or those who are overweight but not obese, according to two new studies.

While it is unknown why obesity triggers aggressive tumors, there are several theories;

Obesity can increase the amount of active testosterone in the blood. Testosterone and other male hormones have been implicated as a potential cause of prostate cancer. Also, obese men have higher levels of certain proteins and hormones -- such as leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1 -- that may promote prostate tumor growth.

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Obese people are more susceptible to colon and rectal cancers. This is largely due to diets high in fat and low in fiber. Exercise increases the time fecal passes through the colon. Which prevents carcinogens and other poisons from doing damage to the GI track.