Obesity a real contributor to colorectal cancer: Experts

DUBAI 'Excess body fat promotes chronic inflammation and hormonal changes that can encourage abnormal cell growth in the colon,' says consultant

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Obesity may not lead to colorectal cancer (CRC). Yet, it would be the shortcut to the chronic disease, according to two specialists.

Al Zahra Hospital-Dubai Gastroenterology and Hepatology consultant Dr. Mayada Elnegouly and Clemenceau Medical Central Hospital-Dubai Medical Oncology consultant Dr. Deborah Mukherji were asked to explain the obesity-CRC link for two reasons.

First, March, since 25 years back, has been designated as "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month."

March 4, since 12 years ago, is "World Obesity Day." Second, despite these international awareness campaigns and based on periodic country-level data collections, adult obesity rates have been increasing globally.

So thus, among boys and girls.

In previous interviews, Endocrinology consultants from NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah and Prime Hospital-Dubai - Dr. Kishan Delempady and Dr. Anil Narayaswamy respectively claimed that "troubling" is the incessant increase of obesity "among adolescents and young adults."

Mukherji said: "Obesity increases the risk of CRC, although it does not mean that everyone with obesity will develop the disease."