Obesity and cancer

Q: Obesity is associated with __________ cancer outcomes? (select one)

A) improved

B) worse

Answer: B

Knowing it may be easy to predict poor outcomes in obese patients who develop cancer, this question aims to direct clinicians to their role in this poor outcome. Although not entirely explained but one of the major reasons for poor outcomes in obese patients with cancer is the underdosing of chemotherapeutic agents by clinicians. Most anti-neoplastic drugs, except for a few, need to be dosed as per actual body weight. The capping of doses of cytotoxic chemotherapy agents leads to poor outcomes in these patients. 

Unfortunately, obese have higher cancer incidence rates, and this under-dosing increases cancer-related mortality.

#oncology

Reference:

Reeves GK, Pirie K, Beral V, et al. Cancer incidence and mortality in relation to body mass index in the Million Women Study: cohort study. BMJ 2007; 335:1134.