Abdominal fat, i.e. fat on the belly and hips, is a cancer risk factor for menopausal women, more than the overall body weight. This is the conclusion reached by a Danish study presented at the European oncology congress Esmo in Madrid. According to the researchers, when evaluating cancer risk, body mass index and percentage of fat may not be adequate measurements as they do not assess the distribution of fat mass. While, "avoiding obesity in the midsection may confer the best protection," notes the study. The researchers examined 5.855 women, all in their 70s, followed for 12 years. Among these, 811 solid tumors were recorded, showing that among those with above average abdominal fat, cancer was more frequent. While there are no significant differences with respect to body mass in general. More specifically, lung and gastrointestinal cancers were linked to increased abdominal fat. “As is well known, with the menopause transition there is a shift of body fat towards the abdominal area. Women close to menopause should start paying attention to their lifestyles, ”said lead researcher Maersk Staunstrup. The study also found that the increase in insulin, linked to an excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates (potatoes and rice), can lead to an accumulation of specifically visceral and abdominal fat. According to oncologists, it is therefore important to intervene on obese patients: in addition to the loss of fat through exercise and diet, the study concludes, however, the potential role of an antidiabetic drug, metformin, which can contain the effects of insulin and contribute to cancer prevention.
