¹Department of Surgery and Alvin J Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA

Correspondence: Dr KY Wolin, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, Box 8109, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. E-mail: wolink@wustl.edu

Received 17 February 2008; Revised 25 July 2008; Accepted 30 July 2008; Published online 26 August 2008.

Abstract

We review and update evidence on obesity, weight gain and weight loss in relation to leading cancers since the International Agency for Research on Cancer report of 2002. Emphasis is placed on the time course of disease and implications for weight control to prevent cancer. We conclude that weight loss could prevent a major portion of common cancers.