Stomach-shrinking surgery cuts cancer risk

Obese patients who undergo stomach surgery to lose weight may reduce their risk of developing some cancers by as much as 80 per cent, according to a study by McGill researchers that provides new evidence eating less could play a critical role in warding off the disease. The findings reinforce the idea that people may be able to control their risk of cancer through diet and lifestyle, and the study is one of the first to look at the role played by bariatric surgery. "Weight-loss surgery can be used as a means of preventing cancer from developing and killing these patients," said Nicolas Christou, the study's lead author and director of bariatric surgery at McGill University. "Even modest weight loss, especially if it can be maintained, might impact positively on their cancer risk."