Thyroid cancer, a new 'cause' has been identified... 'People like this' have a higher risk of occurrence

A study has found that thyroid cancer, which previously had no known specific causes other than radiation therapy, leakage, or family history, may have an increased risk of occurrence due to obesity.

Professor Myung Seung-kwon of the Department of Cancer AI Digital Health at the National Cancer Center International Cancer Graduate School conducted a meta-analysis of 22 cohort studies published in international academic journals from 2001 to 2023. As a meta-analysis expert, Professor Myung Seung-kwon compiled and analyzed the results of the 22 cohort studies selected through literature searches in major medical databases such as PubMed and EMBASE. The results showed that obese individuals have a statistically significant 33% higher risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Professor Myeong Seung-kwon stated, "Meta-analyses of the qualitative level of research, gender, and country-specific subgroups consistently show that obesity increases the risk of thyroid cancer." He continued, "In cases of obesity, elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood can stimulate the thyroid gland, potentially increasing cancer risk," and "Obesity also leads to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, stimulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors in the thyroid, which can promote the proliferation of thyroid cells, thereby increasing the risk of thyroid cancer."

Professor Myeong Seung-kwon said, "Although obesity has been reported to increase the risk of thyroid cancer for over ten years, some large-scale studies published afterward found no correlation. Therefore, I conducted a meta-analysis including all recent studies." He also stated, "The American Cancer Society (ACS) and South Korea's National Cancer Information Center describe that, aside from radiation exposure and family history, there are no controllable risk factors for thyroid cancer, making prevention difficult. Based on the results of this meta-analysis, since obesity increases the risk of thyroid cancer just like other major cancers, I believe that obese individuals should reduce their food intake and increase regular exercise and activity to prevent thyroid cancer."

This research result was published online on October 26th in the international oncology journal 'Nutrition and Cancer'.

<Source: Health Chosun>