Being overweight or having obesity is linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer. These cancers comprise 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. John Thyfault, professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetics, as well as director of the University of Kansas Diabetes Institute and co-leader of the Kansas Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research (KC-MORE), a new research hub based at the University of Kansas Medical Center to study human obesity and obesity-related disease. They discuss the significant impact of obesity on cancer incidence and mortality, as well as Dr. Thyfault’s work developing translational research to improve patient outcomes. The discussion also explores how hormonal disruptions caused by obesity affect tumor growth, the potential of pharmacologic interventions like Ozempic, and the importance of maintaining physical activity and a healthy diet in cancer prevention and management.

Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

Links from this Episode:

• Learn more about KC-MORE
• Read about KC-MORE’s research into obesity and cancer
• Learn more about Dr. Thyfault