A new study shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, significant weight changes before treatment do not by themselves increase the mortality risk from colorectal cancer, rather it is changes in body composition.
In a population-based cohort study, for every 5% loss of body weight after colorectal cancer diagnosis had a 41% increased mortality risk.
“The conventional wisdom has been that colorectal cancer patients should avoid losing or gaining weight during treatment,” explained Dr Justin C Brown, Assistant Professor and Director of Cancer Metabolism Program, Pennington Biomedical Research Center. “But maintaining your weight does not mean your body composition remains the same. Muscle can change quite dramatically, and those changes are associated with a much higher risk of death.”
“This study highlights how body composition can have a powerful impact on long-term health. We at Pennington Biomedical are committed to conducting innovative research to enable cancer survivors around the world to achieve their best possible health,” said Dr John Kirwan, Executive Director.
The study enrolled 1921 patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer, measuring skeletal muscle and body weight at diagnosis and then an average of 15 months later. The definition of stable body weight was a change of less than 5% of weight at diagnosis.
Researchers found having a stable body weight hides changes in skeletal muscle loss. Women were particularly vulnerable to losing muscle. One in five women with stable body weight lost muscle, while less than one in 10 men did.
“More research is needed to determine whether physical activity offers the best solution to prevent muscle loss or fatty deposits in muscle,” Dr Brown said. “But the findings provide colorectal cancer patients with more incentive to engage in physical activity programs that maintain and build muscle.”
Source: News-Medical.Net
