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Weight Loss Injections Could Halve Risk of Obesity-Related Cancers, Study Finds. New research suggests that weight loss injections, specifically GLP-1 receptor agonists, may not only aid in slimming down but also significantly reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers. Obesity is the second leading cause of cancer in the UK, responsible for more than one in 20 cancer cases, according to the NHS. The study found that GLP-1 injections had similar results to bariatric surgery in reducing obesity-related cancer, with nearly half the risk of cancer development in patients treated with the drug. Dr. Yael Wolff Sagy from Clalit Health Services in Tel-Aviv stated that GLP-1 injections were 41% more effective in preventing obesity-related cancers compared to bariatric surgery. The medications’ impact on cancer prevention goes beyond weight loss, suggesting a direct anti-cancer effect, according to the study’s co-lead author. The study analyzed the health records of obese individuals and type 2 diabetes patients, observing them for an average of 7.5 years, during which 298 patients developed obesity-related cancers. The most common obesity-related cancers observed were breast, bowel, and womb cancer, with no prior history of cancer in the patients treated with GLP-1 or bariatric surgery. Despite bariatric surgery's edge in weight loss, the GLP-1 injections were found to reduce obesity-related cancer risk by 41% compared to surgery alone. Experts suggest that the drugs’ cancer-protective effects might stem from multiple mechanisms, including reducing inflammation, though further research is needed to explore these findings. The study’s findings come as the NHS considers offering weight loss drugs at pharmacy prices, although a waiting list for Wegovy, a GLP-1 injection, remains significant due to slow rollout.
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