It is well known that being overweight contributes to cancer risk, but how it actually causes cancer is still a question that has not been fully answered. A new study now offers new details showing that a certain protein released from fat in the body can cause a non-cancerous cell to turn into one with cancer. The study also found that a lower layer of belly fat, when compared to fat just under the skin, is the most likely culprit, releasing even more protein and stimulating tumor growth.
“Our study suggests that body mass index, or BMI, may not be the best indicator,” said the researcher. “It is abdominal obesity, and more specifically, levels of a protein called fibroblast growth factor-2 that may be a better indicator of the risk of cells becoming cancerous.”
