The weight-cancer link

The risk of developing 10 of the most common forms of cancer is greater for overweight or obese individuals, a study finds.

Scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine gathered information on 5 million residents of the UK, tracking changes in their health over a period of seven years, according to BBC News.

The researchers found that every 28 to 35 pounds of extra weight was linearly linked to increased risk of cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, kidney, cervix and thyroid, as well as leukemia, while four other forms—cancer of the liver, colon and ovaries and post-menopausal breast cancer—also were more likely but were influenced by other factors, such as menopause.

The researchers also noted that a higher body mass index appeared unrelated to some forms of cancer, including prostate.