Removal of Abdominal Fat Reduces Cancer Risk
As an addendum to research showing that removal of visceral fat in mice extends life, here is work showing that it reduces risk of some cancers as well: "obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. But there have not been clinical studies to determine if the surgical removal of fat tissue would decrease cancer risk in humans. ... researchers found that surgical removal of abdominal fat from obese mice fed a high-fat diet had between 75-80 percent fewer UV-induced skin cancers than mice that did not undergo fat-removal surgery. Although scientists understand that tissue fat may play a role in tumor formation, there has been little research on the molecular mechanisms of how a high-fat diet increases the formation of skin cancer. This new study suggests that abdominal fat in mice secretes proteins that enhance the risk of cancer. Once the original fat tissue is removed, the biochemical properties of new fat tissue that appear after surgery are less harmful. ... It would be interesting to see if surgical removal of fat tissue in animals would prevent obesity-associated lethal cancers like those of the pancreas, colon and prostate. Whether removal of tissue fat in humans which has certain risks would decrease the risk of life-threatening cancers in humans is not known." A better approach is not to gain the fat tissue, and thus its unfortunate metabolic effects, in the first place - or work to lose it the traditional way, through improved diet and exercise, both of which have broad health benefits.
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521164056.htm