Adipose tissue, or fat, may influence the development of cancer in diverse ways, depending on the type of fat and the location in the body, say researchers.
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According to Experts:
- Obesity is increasing dramatically worldwide.
- And is now also recognised as one of the major risk factors for cancer, with 16 different types of cancer linked to obesity.
- We urgently need to identify the specific mechanisms that link obesity to cancer,” Expert said.
- Previous research has shown several ways that fat contributes to carcinogenesis.
- For example, obesity increases the risk of inflammation, which has long been associated with cancer.
- Also, obesity is believed to affect cancer cell metabolism and immune clearance.
- All of which can contribute to the growth and spread of tumours.
- The relationship between fat and carcinogenesis also depends upon “crosstalk,”.
- Or the ways cells react when the same signal is shared by more than one signalling pathway in two different cell types, Experts explained.
- Identifying ways to interrupt the crosstalk could help researchers identify new cancer prevention strategies.
Researchers:
- They ultimately found 20 primary research publications that specifically addressed the topic, illustrating the novelty of this work.
- The review provided a deeper look into the mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
- For example, several studies showed that adipose stromal cells have the power to infiltrate cancer lesions and promote the growth of tumours.
- These cells were found in greater number in obese prostate cancer and obese breast cancer patients, studies showed.
- The review also showed how some types of fat are more “metabolically active”.
- In addition,secreting more substances that lead to the growth of cancer, Expert said.
There are three different types of fat:
- White, brown, and beige and each acts differently and is present in different amounts depending on where the fat is located.
- For example, the review noted, white adipose tissue has been associated with inflammation.
- And in breast cancer patients, has been associated with worse prognosis.
- The study supports the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Because fat exists both under the skin and deeper inside the body.
- Even slender people may have excess fat surrounding internal organs.
- Healthy diets and exercise that includes strength training to build lean muscle mass can help fight the development of excess fat, Ulrich said.