CDC Report: Obesity-Related Cancers on the Rise; Impacting North Carolina

Why it matters locally: The CDC's report linking obesity and cancer has significant implications for North Carolina residents. With a population of over 10 million, and considering national patterns, a substantial number of individuals in our state are likely at increased risk for obesity-related cancers. This impacts families, healthcare systems, and the state's overall public health strategy as more North Carolinians may face cancer diagnoses linked to excess weight, potentially straining healthcare resources and affecting quality of life. The key industries in the state will be affected as well, with many people forced to take time off of work for treatment, and less productivity overall.

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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.