Increased Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer

A specific genetic mutation in tumors that cause prostate cancer is much more lethal among obese people studies have suggested.  A new study by Harvard School of Public Health lead by Andreas Pettersson suggest that among prostate cancer patients whose tumors contain the gene mutation, there was over a 50% increased risk in dying from prostate cancer if they were overweight when campared to healthy patients.  Patients that were obese and did not have the gene mutation associated with the tumor suggested that obesity had no affect of cancer survival.  Prostate cancer is the second most cause of cancer deaths among men in the Unites States only behind lung cancer.  The researchers analyzed data from over a thousand patients and marked each patient with the TMPRSS2:ERG mutation.  There were over a hundred men who had the mutation and one in every two men with prostate cancer had tumors that were positive for the genetic mutation.  Among these men, the overweight patients had a significant increased chance of dying than healthier men.. This is because obesity results in higher levels of insulin and growth factors that can cause the cancer to get even stronger.  Pettersson states, "The results from this study may help us better understand the mechanisms linking obesity with poorer prostate cancer prognosis.  Prostate cancer patients who are overweight or obese should lose weight to increase their chance of survival, regardless of whether their tumors carry this genetic change or not".  I believe this study only solidifies the importance being healthy and eating right.  Obesity is a major problem in the United States and continues to be one because no one takes it as serious as it should be taken.  In my opinion no one can change an obese person themselves, that person needs to want to change their unhealthy ways and take the first step to a new healthy life.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/269621.php
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate