Colon Cancer and Body Fat

Clearly we are all aware of the adverse and detrimental health affects of
being over-weight, yet so many of us still fall victim to over-indulgence
and massive weight gain. Researchers in Michigan State University may have
found yet another side-effect of body fat. The studies done show a link
between fat and colon cancer. Fat has always been considered a huge risk
factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and many other ailments, so it's
almost no surprise researchers have found yet another dangerous link.

Natural News reported on the research, "A fat cell-derived hormone that
helps regulate body energy, leptin is higher in obese individuals. Dr.
Fenton's study, just published in the journal *Carcinogenesis* is the first
to demonstrate that leptin, when at high levels, induces precancerous colon
cells to produce more of a growth factor. This growth factor, in turn, can
increase blood supply to early malignant cells -- and that promotes the
growth and spread of cancerous tumors."

Each year hundreds of thousands of people in the US are diagnosed with colon
cancer. Doctors hope that such research can aid in prevention, early
detection and force many high risk patients to get year virtual
colonoscopies.

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