A large-scale study has revealed that even a slight deviation from the normal body mass index (BMI) range significantly increases the risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals in their 20s and 30s. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increased by about 40% starting from the overweight stage, and for those with a BMI over 30, the risk was double that of those with normal weight. This is the first nationwide cohort study to confirm obesity as a major cause of increasing pancreatic cancer among young adults.
The research, conducted by Professor Hong Jeong-yong from the Hemato-Oncology department at Samsung Medical Center and Professor Park Joo-hyun from the Family Medicine department at Korea University Ansan Hospital, followed 6,315,055 adults aged 20 to 39 who had health check-ups between 2009 and 2012. The findings were published in a recent issue of the European Journal of Cancer.
During the follow-up period, the researchers identified 1,533 cases of pancreatic cancer. The analysis showed a stepwise increase in pancreatic cancer risk correlated with higher BMI, categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, obesity stage 1, and obesity stage 2 according to Asian BMI standards.
Compared to those with normal weight (BMI 18.5~22.9), individuals who were overweight (BMI 23.0~24.9) had a 38.9% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer, with a similar increase for obesity stage 1 (BMI 25.0~29.9). In obesity stage 2 (BMI 30 or more), the risk surged by 96%. There was no statistically significant risk increase for the underweight group.
The study accounted for various factors such as age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, income level, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, and pancreatitis, confirming that obesity is an independent factor for increased pancreatic cancer risk.
The researchers also highlighted that pancreatic cancer in younger patients can be more dangerous due to often vague symptoms, leading to late diagnosis. As more economically active individuals are affected, this can increase the burden on individuals, families, and society as a whole.
The mechanism by which obesity increases pancreatic cancer risk is clear: from the overweight stage, inflammatory substances are continuously secreted from fat tissue, and insulin resistance increases, creating an environment conducive to cancer by stimulating pancreatic cell proliferation.
Professor Hong emphasized that managing weight from the overweight stage is the most practical prevention strategy to reduce the burden of pancreatic cancer among young people.