Reuters Health: Weight-loss surgery tied to lowered risk of colorectal cancer
Finding supports what UC researcher has been saying about bariatric surgery
Obese people who have weight-loss surgery may also lower their risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to a report from Reuters Health. Obesity has long been linked to increased risk of colorectal tumors and other types of cancer, as well as a greater risk for chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Losing weight is thought to reduce these risks.
Reuters Health cited a study from Kuwaiti researcher, Dr. Sulaiman Almazeedi, and interviewed Dr. Daniel Schauer, an assistant professor in the University of Cincinnati Department of Internal Medicine, for a story. Schauer, also a UC Health physician, did not take part in the study, but offered his comments.
The study examined data from seven previous studies that followed more than 1.2 million patients for about seven years, on average. Colorectal cancer was rare: just 638 people developed these tumors during the study.
When people lose weight after bariatric surgery, many changes happen that impact cancer risk, explained Schauer, who was not part of the study.
“Perhaps most importantly for colorectal cancer risk, the body has less inflammation and many of the (tumor) growth factors associated with obesity are decreased,” Schauer told Reuters Health. “These are strongly related to the amount of weight loss.”
Read the Reuters Health story online.
Also check out Dr. Schauer’s research on bariatric surgery and colorectal cancer.
Related Stories
How the University of Cincinnati co-op program is shaping the future of work at SXSW
March 17, 2026
The University of Cincinnati served as a 2026 Workplace Track sponsor at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Innovation Conference March 12-18 in Austin, Texas, showcasing how co-op is redesigning the future of work.
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Local media highlight completion of Blood Cancer Healing Center fourth and fifth floors
March 16, 2026
Local media including WLWT and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted the opening of research laboratories and the UC Osher Wellness Suite and Learning Kitchen at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Blood Cancer Healing Center.