CDC Report: Obesity-Related Cancers a Growing Concern in West Virginia

Why it matters locally: The CDC report linking obesity and rising cancer rates is particularly relevant to West Virginia. With a high adult obesity rate, the findings suggest a significant portion of cancer cases in the state could be linked to excess weight. This presents a serious public health challenge for West Virginia residents and healthcare providers. Addressing obesity through preventative care programs becomes even more crucial to mitigate the potential rise in cancer incidence and its associated healthcare costs within the state.

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Atlanta -- A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released this week highlights the association between overweight and obesity and the incidence of certain types of cancer. The Vital Signs report indicates that while the overall cancer rate in the United States is decreasing, the proportion of cancers linked to excess weight is increasing. According to the CDC findings, cancers associated with overweight and obesity accounted for 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. in 2014. The report identifies at least 13 different types of cancer that have been linked to being overweight or obese. The data show a significant portion of these obesity-related cancers, approximately two-thirds, are diagnosed in adults between the ages of 50 and 74.