A new study has found that obesity may raise the risk of thyroid cancer by 33%.
Professor Seung Kwon Myung from the National Cancer Center’s Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy published these findings in the international journal Nutrition and Cancer on December 3.
The research, a meta-analysis of 22 cohort studies conducted between 2001 and 2023, identified a strong correlation between obesity and thyroid cancer.
Cohort studies, which track large populations over extended periods, were used to analyze obesity status and potential risk factors for thyroid cancer.
The results showed that individuals with obesity face a 33% higher risk of developing thyroid cancer compared to those of normal weight—a statistically significant finding.
Myung highlighted hormonal changes as a key link between obesity and thyroid cancer. Obesity can elevate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood, potentially overstimulating the thyroid gland and increasing cancer risk.
Moreover, the study suggests that obesity’s association with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may activate insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors in the thyroid, encouraging thyroid cell proliferation and further raising the risk of cancer.
The findings were consistent across various subgroup analyses, including study quality, gender, and geographic region. “Our comprehensive meta-analysis of 22 large-scale cohort studies consistently showed a 33% higher incidence of thyroid cancer in obese individuals,” Myung said.
In response to these findings, he advised obese individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles. “Reducing caloric intake and regular exercise are critical steps in mitigating this increased risk,” he concluded.
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