Belly Fat
A new study confirms that belly fat can put you at risk for cancer, pictured June 15, 1997. Getty Images

A study provided new details Thursday on how belly fat can increase the risk of cancer, according to a press release published to EurekAlert. A protein released from fat in the body can reportedly allow a noncancerous cell to become cancerous.

There are two layers of belly fat: subcutaneous fat (top layer) and visceral fat (lower layer). Researchers at the Michigan State University (MSU) found that visceral fat poses a greater threat by studying mice that were fed meals high in fat. Researchers also took visceral fat tissue from women who were preparing to undergo hysterectomies.

The lower layer of abdominal fat compared to fat located underneath the skin is most likely the culprit because it releases even more of this protein that encourages cancer tumor growth, the study found.

Jamie Bernard, an assistant professor at MSU and the study's lead author, confirmed that the study indicated that "fat from both mice and humans can make a non-tumorigenic cell malignantly transform into a tumorigenic cell."

The MSU researchers recognized that belly fat's link to cancer isn't new news. However, the federally funded study conducted by the college was conducted to find out specifically what linked belly fat to cancer.

"While there have been several advances in treating cancer and improving the quality of life of patients, the number of new cases continues to surge," Bernard said in a press release. "It's important to understand the cause so we can do a better job at reducing the number of cancer cases using dietary modifications or therapeutic interventions."

Obesity is very common. More than one-third (36.5 percent) of adults in the United States are obese, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also reported that obesity strikes certain groups more than others. African-Americans (non-Hispanic) are the most at risk of being obese at 48.1 percent, followed by Hispanics (42.5 percent) and non-Hispanic Caucasians (34.5 percent).

Obesity is also seen at higher rates among adults between 40-59 years old.

Excess body fat is a risk factor for several variants of cancer. Research suggests that the location of the fat can affect the type of cancer developed, according to Health.com. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) confirmed in August 2016 that there are 13 types of cancers directly related to body fat, according to the National Center for Biotechnology. Oesophageal cancer, breast cancer (in postmenopausal women), gallbladder cancer and liver cancer are among the list of cancers linked to body fat.

What can decrease the risk of cancer from body fat? There isn't a proven method to avoid cancer. However, there are steps that can be taken to decrease the likelihood of acquiring body fat-related cancers.

Preventing further weight gain is the best way to avoid the risk of body-fact induced cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommends establishing a healthier diet and lifestyle regimen. Limiting consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods, avoiding sugary drinks and being physically active are lifestyle modifications that the AICR suggests can help to reduce the cancer risk.

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