Genetic changes, treatments, and lifestyle choices can predict cancer survivors’ risk of severe obesity and other health problems
Adult childhood cancer survivors have a higher risk than the general population for obesity (being extremely overweight) as they age. Obesity can cause health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
For some survivors, genes passed down from their parents increase obesity risk. Scientists looked for genetic differences in 2,548 cancer survivors treated at St. Jude. Some of the survivors were obese and some were not. Scientists used this information to create a genetic risk score (GRS) that measures a survivor’s risk for severe obesity when the GRS details are combined with other data about treatment, smoking and exercise.
The scientists verified their GRS on a larger group of 6,064 survivors at other hospitals. The score identified those who were at high risk for severe obesity.
By using a GRS in survivors, persons at risk for obesity could get interventions to prevent obesity before it starts. This could lower their risk of other problems that often accompany obesity.
Along with obesity, cancer treatments can cause health problems known as late effects. They happen months or years after treatment is over. Scientists collected details about survivors' cancer treatments, how much they exercised, and if they smoked. When this information was combined with the survivors’ GRS, scientists identified 4.3 times more survivors at high risk for severe obesity.
Details about genetic changes, treatments, and lifestyles can identify those at risk for health problems. Both care providers and patients need this information.
- Providers can use health screenings to identify patients and monitor their health.
- High-risk survivors can make lifestyle changes to lower their risk for obesity and other health problems.
What does this mean for you?
As a childhood cancer survivor, know your risks and take action to stay healthy. Here are some things you can do:
Reference:
Sapkota Y, Qiu W, Dixon SB, Wilson CL, Wang Z, Zhang J, Leisenring W, Chow EJ, Bhatia S, Armstrong GT, Robison LL, Hudson MM, Delaney A, Yasui Y. Genetic risk score enhances the risk prediction of severe obesity in adult survivors of childhood cancer. Nat Med. 2022 Aug;28(8):1590-1598. Read the paper