Obesity-linked cancer deaths have tripled in the U.S., alarming new numbers put spotlight on prevention

Obesity-associated cancer deaths have tripled in the United States since 2005, according to new research presented at ENDO 2025. From just 3.7 to now 13.5 deaths per million people, the growing toll is raising deep concern among experts.

The sharpest increases are among women, older adults, Native Americans, and Black Americans. Scientists warn these shifts reflect the intersection of rising obesity and long-standing healthcare disparities.

What cancers are rising with America's growing waistline?

Researchers now recognize 13 types of cancer strongly linked to excess weight. These include postmenopausal breast, colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, liver, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, among others. Endometrial and esophageal adenocarcinomas show the most dramatic risk increases, up to seven times for the former and five times for the latter, among those with severe obesity.

Emerging evidence adds another 18 potential cancers to the growing list. These may include cervical adenocarcinoma, vulvar cancer, and several head and neck cancers. Experts attribute the rising incidence to obesity’s effect on chronic inflammation, immune system disruption, and altered hormone levels.

Did you know?
People with severe obesity face up to seven times the risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to those with healthy weight, making it one of the most disproportionately impacted cancers tied to body fat.

Could weight loss save thousands of lives a year?

The link between sustained obesity and cancer development isn’t new, but this report quantifies the deadly consequences more starkly than ever before. Scientists now point out that reducing obesity rates could meaningfully reduce overall cancer mortality, especially for at-risk communities.

Fat tissue produces hormones like estrogen and insulin, which can promote tumor growth. Chronic inflammation from excess weight also damages cells over time, increasing the likelihood of mutations that lead to cancer.

The U.S. obesity crisis is fueling deadly cancer trends

More than 42% of American adults live with obesity, and over 9% have severe obesity. These numbers have steadily grown for decades. As the population has gotten heavier, so too has the nation’s cancer burden.

Rural residents face additional risks due to reduced access to primary care, fewer cancer screenings, and poor nutritional education. Black and Native American populations experience higher obesity rates and are now among those hardest hit by this surge in cancer deaths.

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More prevention, less reaction: experts call for action

Public health officials are urging a pivot from treatment to prevention. They emphasize early education, access to nutritious food, and physical activity from childhood through adulthood. Initiatives targeting high-risk populations may be essential for reversing these deadly gains.

Endocrinologists at ENDO 2025 called for obesity and cancer to be addressed as overlapping epidemics, with prevention recognized not just as a wellness goal but as a public health strategy.

We are urging healthcare providers and policymakers to update cancer screening protocols to better account for obesity risks. For many, the tripling of death rates serves as a stark reminder.

If current trends persist, obesity-linked diseases may replace smoking-related illnesses as America’s primary preventable killers. The U.S. now faces a defining opportunity to act before these numbers climb even higher.