Obese women have a 40 per cent higher risk of developing at least seven types of cancer in their lifetime . Obese women have a 40 per cent higher risk of developing at least seven types of cancer in their lifetime , according to research . These weight-related cancers include bowel , post-menopausal breast , gallbladder , womb , kidney , pancreatic and oesophageal types . Statistics released by Cancer Research UK show that obese women have around a one in four risk of developing a cancer linked to weight in their lifetime . In a group of 1,000 obese women , 274 will be diagnosed with a bodyweight-linked cancer in their lifetime , compared with 194 women diagnosed in a group of 1,000 healthy weight women . Approximately a quarter of women are classified as obese and it is estimated that 18,000 women develop cancer as a result of being overweight or obese each year . There are different ways that obesity could increase the risk of cancer . One possibility is that it is linked to the production of hormones by fat cells – especially oestrogen which is thought to fuel the disease . Around 12 per cent of postmenopausal breast cancers – a total of 5,269 women – are blamed on obesity . It is the highest number of cases linked to obesity because the cancer is so common . Last year a study found women were at double the risk of getting the disease because of their weight compared with men . Researchers said 8.2 per cent of all cancers in women in the UK were caused by being fat . The study found 4.4 per cent of all cancers in men were due to obesity . Previous estimates claimed if Britons continue to pile on the pounds , it will lead to almost 4,000 extra cancer cases a year by 2026 . Dr Julie Sharp of Cancer Research UK said : 'Losing weight is n't easy , but you do n't have to join a gym and run miles every day or give up your favourite food . Just making small changes that you can maintain in the long term can have a real impact . To get started , try getting off the bus a stop earlier and cutting down on fatty and sugary foods . A quarter of women are classified as obese and it is estimated that 18,000 women develop cancer as a result of being overweight or obese each year . 'Gradually build on these to achieve a healthier lifestyle that you can maintain . And find out about local services , which can provide help and support to make lifestyle changes . We know that our cancer risk depends on a combination of our genes , our environment and other aspects of our lives , many of which we can control – helping people understand how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer in the first place remains crucial in tackling the disease . 'Lifestyle changes – like not smoking , keeping a healthy weight , and cutting back on alcohol – are the big opportunities for us all to reduce our cancer risk . Making these changes is not a guarantee against cancer , but it stacks the odds in our favour . ' Breast cancer patients can raise their chances of survival by exercising , a study has found . Tumours grew more slowly when mice being treated for cancer had an exercise wheel in their cage . It means that in future , breast cancer patients could be prescribed exercise as part of their treatment . As cancers grow , the blood vessels supplying them with oxygen become thin and tangled , making it harder for drugs to reach the tumour . But when US researchers from the Duke Cancer Institute in North Carolina let mice with breast cancer run on wheels , their bloody supply improved . Researcher Dr Mark Dewhirst said : 'We were truly amazed by these findings . ' Macmillan Cancer Support has previously described exercise as a 'wonder drug ' .
Obese women have a 40 % higher risk of developing seven cancers . These include bowel , post-menopausal breast , kidney and pancreatic . Researchers said 8.2 % of cancers in North Carolina women were caused by being fat . 18,000 women develop cancer as a result of being overweight each year .