New research by the World Cancer Research Fund has discovered that excess body fat is a leading contributor to over 17% of cancer cases across the UK in the last year – a 50% increase on their previous predictions.

Linked to breast, bowel, oesophagus, kidney, pancreas, womb and gall bladder cancer; of the cases known 19,000 of them could have easily been prevented by following a healthier diet enriched in fruit and vegetables.

The science

Evidence surrounding this theory has increased immensely in the last decade. Comparing studies performed by the World Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research UK, both of their studies point towards the same belief that excess body fat increases cancer risk. Why? Insulin and oestrogen levels.

These two hormones are strongly influenced by the amount of body fat your body contains. So the more it is in excess, the more these hormones will be produced throughout the body, thus increasing your chances of developing cancer.

The reality

Despite this growing epidemic, the WCRF went on to reveal that 40% of the UK’s population is still unaware of the fact excess fat can lead to cancer.

Yet by making a few simple changes to your lifestyle: eating a healthy and nutritious diet; increasing your physical activity and attaining a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, 33% of cancer cases could have been prevented.

To calculate your own BMI simply: divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres.