What links obesity to cancer?

The predominant cancers associated with obesity include breast, endometrial and prostate cancer which all have a hormonal basis. Several studies have shown that obesity also increases the risk for cancers of the colon, oesophagus (adenocarcinoma), pancreas, gall bladder, liver, cervix, ovaries, kidney, as well as Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The mechanism of increased cancer risk in obese populations is unclear, but nutritional and dietary factors, and lack of exercise may have a role. The conversion of androstenedione, which is secreted by the adrenal gland, into oestrone by aromatase in adipose tissue stroma provides an important source of oestrogen for postmenopausal women. Leptin may be a possible link between Western lifestyle and the transition from premalignant lesions to overt cancer through the induction of tumour angiogenesis. Insulin and IGF-I may be the biological mediators of cell growth. The increased release of cytokines by the adipocyte may play a role in the inflammatory state associated with obesity

Impact of body mass index on cancer development

Purpose: To determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on cancer in a hospital-based Turkish population

Turkish nationwide survEy of glycemic and other Metabolic parameters of patients with Diabetes mellitus (TEMD study)

AIMS: Turkey has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Europe. It is therefore essential to know the overall cardiovascular risk and reveal the predictors of metabolic control in Turkish adults with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A nationwide, multicenter survey consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow up for at least a year. Optimal control was defined as HbA1c < 7%, home arterial blood pressure (ABP) < 135/85 mmHg, or LDL-C < 100 mg/dL. Achieving all parameters indicated triple metabolic control. RESULTS: HbA1c levels of patients (n = 5211) were 8.6 ± 1.9% (71 ± 22 mmol/mol) and 7.7 ± 1.7% (61 ± 19 mmol/mol), in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, respectively. Glycemic control was achieved in 15.3% and 40.2%, and triple metabolic control was achieved in 5.5% and 10.1%, respectively. Only 1.5% of patients met all the criteria of being non-obese, non-smoker, exercising, and under triple metabolic control. Low education level was a significant predictor of poor glycemic control in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Few patients with Type 2, and even fewer with Type 1 diabetes have optimal metabolic control in Turkey. TEMD study will provide evidence-based information to policy makers to focus more on the quality and sustainability of diabetes care in order to reduce the national burden of the disease