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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to point out it is more likely for cancer to cause obesity than for obesity to cause cancer

84 replies

Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 06:55

Cos I am so sick of smug ignoramuses being so superior and judgemental.

I was not overweight until I had cancer. I had a MBI of 22 until I had to start taking massive continuous doses of steroids alongside chemotherapy.

Obesity is a medical problem, Obesity does cause health problems. Obesity is a contributing factor to some cancers. The WHO estimates obesity is a contributary factor in around 3-4% of cancers. That all. And there is no way of knowing which individual cancers, that is a population level estimate. And it is a contributary factor, not a cause.

So can we ditch this attitude of "o well, you did this to yourself" every time people come across a fat person with cancer.

Thank you

OP posts:
manontroppo · 27/03/2023 07:32

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/bodyweight-and-cancer/how-does-obesity-cause-cancer

Obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer. It doesn’t cause all cancers, nor does everyone who is obese get cancer.

Obesity also makes it harder for cancer to be treated, as obese patients are less fit. Around 2/3rds of cancer patients have surgery, which is made significantly more challenging if the patient is obese.

I’m very sorry for your diagnosis, but obesity is a serious, significant and actionable risk factor for cancer.

How does obesity cause cancer?

Overweight and obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK. Keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 types of cancer.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/bodyweight-and-cancer/how-does-obesity-cause-cancer

Original poster
Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 07:38

The WHO says that in around only 3-4% of cancers is obesity likely to be a contributary factor

contributary factor, not cause.

ANd you have no idea if the people you meet with cancer were obese before hand, or whether the cancer treatment has caused weight gain

OP posts:
Strictly1 · 27/03/2023 07:43

I’m really sorry for the position you’re in but you’re not right. Cancer has made the people I’ve loved skeletal. This doesn’t prove that this is the case for everyone, just like you having put weight on doesn’t prove it for everyone. I question for Stats from WHO.

SweetSakura · 27/03/2023 07:43

Agreed. I was slim all my life. Slim and very fit and a very healthy eater.

Then I developed a rare autoimmune neuro-muscular disease. It's stopped me exercising and means I need a high dose of steroids. I have ballooned, I don't recognise my face. I still eat carefully.

I am sick and tired of the judgement and sense people feel i have morally failed in some way and don't deserve health care.

Fairyliz · 27/03/2023 07:44

Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 07:38

The WHO says that in around only 3-4% of cancers is obesity likely to be a contributary factor

contributary factor, not cause.

ANd you have no idea if the people you meet with cancer were obese before hand, or whether the cancer treatment has caused weight gain

But every single person I’ve ever met with cancer I knew before, so I would know if they were overweight before.

Surely people with cancer don’t go around informing complete strangers about it, they would tell family, friends, colleagues.

Stugs · 27/03/2023 07:46

Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 06:55

Cos I am so sick of smug ignoramuses being so superior and judgemental.

I was not overweight until I had cancer. I had a MBI of 22 until I had to start taking massive continuous doses of steroids alongside chemotherapy.

Obesity is a medical problem, Obesity does cause health problems. Obesity is a contributing factor to some cancers. The WHO estimates obesity is a contributary factor in around 3-4% of cancers. That all. And there is no way of knowing which individual cancers, that is a population level estimate. And it is a contributary factor, not a cause.

So can we ditch this attitude of "o well, you did this to yourself" every time people come across a fat person with cancer.

Thank you

I don't think anyone with any humanity would think an obese person had given themselves cancer, but there's no doubt that being obese is a risk factor.

Also getting drug levels right is harder when people are obese, according to my dbros consultant.

Chickenly · 27/03/2023 07:48

Fairyliz · 27/03/2023 07:44

But every single person I’ve ever met with cancer I knew before, so I would know if they were overweight before.

Surely people with cancer don’t go around informing complete strangers about it, they would tell family, friends, colleagues.

Show quote history

I met lots of people while I was having cancer and after having cancer, and it comes up as a topic of conversation really very often.

Also keep in mind that weight gain is a direct symptom of some cancers but the NHS refuse to accept it as one because of the stigma surrounding weight gain.

Upsywavy · 27/03/2023 07:48

You are incorrect but I agree people shouldn't judge. There is a line between educating the population on the health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight and that includes some possible outcomes, and blaming individuals for their cancer and saying its their fault.

Mistyontheroof · 27/03/2023 07:48

I know what you mean @Nimbostratus100 It's like when surveys get done about health and exercise. Conclusion always being that if you exercise you'll be healthy. Not taking into account that if a person isn't healthy, they aren't likely to do as much exercise.

There is often confusion between causation and correlation imo

Of course being overweight isn't healthy, and we know exercise is good for a body, but as you say certain drugs can increase your weight (really sorry about your diagnosis and wishing you all the best!)

Certain diseases and disabilities preclude exercising ( getting through the day can be hard enough!) So unless a research allows for this, it's tempting to then think that it's lack of exercise causing the problem, not that the problem means the person can't exercise.

pncr · 27/03/2023 07:48

Thank you for this friend.

I am sick and tired of explaining on here that I am overweight because of medical conditions. And I then get asked. Am I sure. Could I not try harder. Is there really not more that I could do.

randomrandomium · 27/03/2023 07:50

I was infuriated by some of the smug, condescending posters on that thread. I was size 12, didn't drink or smoke and exercised 4 days a week and then I got breast cancer. I am now overweight and unfit following major surgery, steroids, part way through chemo and struggling with depression but clearly it's all my fault for getting cancer because I am overweight???!! I'm glad those posters haven't had their lives blighted by cancer because it is truly shit - no one ever knows what other people are going through and the lack of compassion for others was extraordinary.

SweetSakura · 27/03/2023 07:52

Sending love to everyone on here who has seen their body drastically change following heavy steroids and faced not only grief for their health and bodies but also the judgement of the sanctimonious

It's rubbish. Sometimes I wish I could wear a t shirt with a photo of me before illness and steroids altered me beyond recognition

Soontobe60 · 27/03/2023 07:54

Nimbostratus100 · 27/03/2023 07:38

The WHO says that in around only 3-4% of cancers is obesity likely to be a contributary factor

contributary factor, not cause.

ANd you have no idea if the people you meet with cancer were obese before hand, or whether the cancer treatment has caused weight gain

I’m pretty sure the medical world would know this though.

erinaceus · 27/03/2023 07:55

I think the issue here is less about which way round causality is in cancer and obesity (technically it’s not cancer causing obesity in your case, it’s steroids) and more that some people are judgmental tosspots about other people’s body size and their serious health concerns and difficult to endure treatments.

If people say “oh well you did this to yourself” to you regarding your body size and cancer, they are rude and unkind idiots - whatever your health situation. A reasonable person would be sad and sorry for your illness and want nothing other than healing and to know how they could help and support you through the nightmare that is cancer.

I hope you encounter more of the latter and fewer of the former.

SweetSakura · 27/03/2023 07:56

The other day I got the lift up two floors at work at the same time as a colleague took the stairs

As I came out of the lift he was just finishing coming up the stairs, he laughed and said "ah, you won! But I get the moral high ground for climbing the stairs"

And this just sums it up to me. I used to be the person who bounded up the stairs, after walking a couple of miles into the office. Now walking from the disabled parking bay to my desk is too much some days. Some days I work from bed because I can't even hold my head up my neck is so weak.

So no, you don't have the moral high ground because you are fit and healthy. You have good fortune

strawberryicecreamice · 27/03/2023 07:56

Steroids are evil. Amazing drug but evil what they can do.

Lilyhatesjaz · 27/03/2023 07:58

Chemotherapy caused weight gain for me too, and several wasted years when I was too unwell to do much at all. I am now on permanent steroids it is very hard to not gain weight let alone loose it.

Stugs · 27/03/2023 07:58

SweetSakura · 27/03/2023 07:56

The other day I got the lift up two floors at work at the same time as a colleague took the stairs

As I came out of the lift he was just finishing coming up the stairs, he laughed and said "ah, you won! But I get the moral high ground for climbing the stairs"

And this just sums it up to me. I used to be the person who bounded up the stairs, after walking a couple of miles into the office. Now walking from the disabled parking bay to my desk is too much some days. Some days I work from bed because I can't even hold my head up my neck is so weak.

So no, you don't have the moral high ground because you are fit and healthy. You have good fortune

Oh fgs he was just trying to be friendly. Sometimes people are a bit thoughtless.

Mistyontheroof · 27/03/2023 08:00

SweetSakura · 27/03/2023 07:56

The other day I got the lift up two floors at work at the same time as a colleague took the stairs

As I came out of the lift he was just finishing coming up the stairs, he laughed and said "ah, you won! But I get the moral high ground for climbing the stairs"

And this just sums it up to me. I used to be the person who bounded up the stairs, after walking a couple of miles into the office. Now walking from the disabled parking bay to my desk is too much some days. Some days I work from bed because I can't even hold my head up my neck is so weak.

So no, you don't have the moral high ground because you are fit and healthy. You have good fortune

Totally this! My sister was fit and used to run, then developed cellulitis. Now she has to take the lift because she can't manage the stairs. She's put on a couple of stone as well.

SweetSakura · 27/03/2023 08:01

Stugs · 27/03/2023 07:58

Oh fgs he was just trying to be friendly. Sometimes people are a bit thoughtless.

Show quote history

Yeah, but it is thoughtless isn't it. Because it shows how easy it is to assume someone has a *choice"

I didn't give him aggro. I didn't even explain
But it sums up the quiet assumptions people make every day

CindersAgain · 27/03/2023 08:08

And, I meant to add, the prevalence of obesity has increased since 2012.

Upsywavy · 27/03/2023 08:12

pncr · 27/03/2023 07:48

Thank you for this friend.

I am sick and tired of explaining on here that I am overweight because of medical conditions. And I then get asked. Am I sure. Could I not try harder. Is there really not more that I could do.

Why do you need to discuss it on here though? Its an anon messageboard, I always assume those harping on about how slim and wonderful they are in fact are not and they get joy out of making others feel bad and it helps their insecurity.

DogFleece · 27/03/2023 08:14

This happens with other illnesses as well, a neighbour has a chronic issue which has led her to be on steroids long term, she was a size 10, in a very active job.
She’s now a size 20, still in a very active job, eats healthily but steroids have increased her appetite. She dreads going to the dr, because not only do they try to push her issues off as anxiety (as they did for years before referring her), now they put it down to obesity - even though they were there throughout her history of illness, covering over 15 years.

Obviously being obese is not healthy, but too many cannot see beyond it to the real person they are treating or talking to.

weebarra · 27/03/2023 08:16

Totally get it. I had cancer through not overweight, it was the BRCA2 gene. I am overweight now though.
One of my best friends is going through treatment - fit, healthy, exercised a lot. Very aware that lifestyle does cause cancer, but not always!