11 April,2018 02:55 PM IST | Washington | mid-day online desk
Representational Image
Losing a lot of weight recently? Well, a study has found that sudden weight loss can be a risk factor for cancer. Ther Study carried out by the University of Oxford and Exeter found that sudden weight loss is the second highest risk factor for lung, colorectal, lung, renal and pancreatic cancer
The research analysed the findings of 25 studies, incorporating data from more than 11.5 million patients in total, found that weight loss was linked with 10 types of cancer.
The analysis found that unintended weight loss in people over 60 exceeded the three precent risk threshold for urgent investigation in NICE guidelines. In females over 60, the average risk across all sites involved was estimated to be up to 6.7 precent, and in males up to 14.2 precent.
ALSO READ
US confirms H5N1 bird flu in swine for first time
Onions served at McDonald's are likely source of E. coli outbreak in US: CDC
Late menopause may increase risk of asthma in women, finds study
Most people unaware obesity can raise 20 pct lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer
Does being distracted mean you have ADHD? Experts clarify
Lead author Dr Brian Nicholson said, "Streamlined services that allow GPs to investigate non-specific symptoms like weight loss are vitally important and urgently needed if we are to catch cancer earlier and save lives. Our research indicates that coordinated investigation across multiple body sites could help to speed up cancer diagnosis in patients with weight loss. We now need to continue our research to understand the most appropriate combination of tests and to give guidance on how much weight loss GPs and patients should worry about."
Professor Willie Hamilton, co-author on the study said, "We've always known that unplanned weight loss may represent cancer. This study pulls together all the published evidence and demonstrates beyond doubt that it is important in efforts to save lives from cancer. It is particularly timely with this week's announcement of 'one-stop' shops for cancer diagnosis. These units pull together all the necessary tests under one roof - making the investigation of weight loss much more speedy and convenient for the patient."
The study has been published in the British Journal of General Practice.
(With inputs from ANI)
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
The inputs from agencies have been sourced from a third party syndicated feed. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text