<s>[INST] Do people with obesity have a greater risk of cancer? [/INST] There is consistent evidence that obesity is associated with certain types of cancer. These include but are not limited to: endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women, breast cancer in men and women, oesophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer (secondary to a fatty liver), gallbladder cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, and meningioma. 

The percentage of cases of cancer attributed to obesity varies widely depending on the type of cancer, with figures of up to 54% for gallbladder cancer in women or 44% for oesophageal cancer in men.  

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how obesity increases the risk of developing these types of cancer. Fatty tissue (adipose) produces oestrogens and high levels of oestrogens has been associated with the development of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. People with obesity also have increased levels of insulin (hyperinsulinaemia or insulin resistance) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). High levels of insulin and IGF-1 have been associated with the development colon cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and endometrial cancer. People with obesity have chronic, low-grade inflammation, which over time can damage the body’s DNA and initiate cancer. Compared to people of a normal weight, obese people have conditions or alterations that are associated with localised chronic inflammation and these represent risk factors for certain cancers. For example, chronic inflammation that produces gastroesophageal reflux disease is a cause of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Source: Clinic Barcelona. Link: https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/assistance/diseases/obesity/frequent-asked-questions. Field: Endocrinology. Disease: Obesity </s>