A lot of people in the United States, about one in three, deal with something called metabolic syndrome. This isn’t just one problem, but a bunch of health issues like high blood pressure, too much sugar in the blood, and being overweight, especially around the waist. These problems can make someone more likely to get heart disease, strokes, and Type 2 diabetes.
But there’s more to worry about. Recent research has found that these health issues could also make it more likely for someone to get cancer.
Uncovering the Link Between Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer
Doctors have known for a while that being overweight can increase the risk of cancer. However, a new study in the “Cancer” journal looks at how all the parts of metabolic syndrome together could make someone more likely to get different kinds of cancer. Gerald Denis, a cancer expert at Boston University, thinks this is a big deal that people aren’t talking about enough. He worries that many people don’t understand how serious this risk is.
Researchers in China looked at over 40,000 people who had some or all of the problems that are part of metabolic syndrome: high blood pressure, low “good” cholesterol, high fats in the blood, high blood sugar, and a big waistline. To have metabolic syndrome, a person needs to have at least three of these issues.
The study watched these people for four years to see how their health was doing. Then, they checked to see who got cancer over the next ten years. Most of these people were around 50 years old.
They found that people with metabolic syndrome were 30% more likely to get cancer later on.
This is a big reminder that taking care of your health, like keeping a healthy weight and managing blood sugar, is really important. Not just to avoid heart disease or diabetes, but also to lower the chance of getting cancer.
Want to know more about how keeping your body healthy can help you avoid cancer? Read the full article here.
