Weight And Cancer Risk
- Comedian and “Kinda Pregnant” star Amy Schumer, 43, says she was “bedridden” and felt nausea while taking Ozempic a few years back, and her experience with the blockbuster weight-loss drug should be a reminder to others considering taking a weight loss drug to talk with your care team about whether that’s a good option for you. And make sure you consider good diet and exercise practices as a part of your treatment plan.
- Ozempic, the brand name of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, the highly popular new drug also known under the brand names Rybelsu and Wegovy, is an FDA-approved prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug, which is administered as a weekly injection, assists the body by helping the pancreas make more insulin, ultimately lowering blood sugar levels. Although it has not been FDA-approved for weight loss, the drug has been prescribed by some doctors.
- Semeglutide works by impacting the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP) hormone that’s released by the gut in response to food. It causes the pancreas to release insulin. GLP-1 also prevents the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Being overweight or having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer.” Some of these cancers include breast, colon, ovarian, and stomach (gastric).
Speaking on a recent episode of “The Howard Stern Show,” Schumer, who previously admitted to taking the popular diabetes and obesity-fighting drug, said she lost 30 pounds very quickly when she was on Ozempic a few years back, but it made her feel so sick she wasn’t able to play a simple game of tag with her son.
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GDF15, otherwise known as growth differentiation factor 15 and an NSAID activated gene-1 (NAG-1), is linked to a variety of biological processes and diseases, including obesity and cancer.
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Schumer, a mom to her four-year-old son Gene and wife to chef Chris Fischer, added, “I lost 30 pounds so quick. I looked great and I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow, so what’s the point?”
She also spoke about her Ozempic use on an earlier episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.” The “I Feel Pretty” actress admitted last year that she tried Ozempic, the brand name of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, a prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes.
“Like a year ago, I tried it. I was one of those people that felt so sick and couldn’t play with my son. I was so skinny and he’s throwing a ball at me and [I couldn’t],” Schumer said, according to People.
“You’re like, ‘OK this isn’t livable for me,’ but I immediately invested because I’m like, ‘Everyone and their mom is going to try it.’”
Referring to other celebrities, Schumer added, “Everybody (is) lying, everyone’s like, ‘Oh, smaller portions,’ like shut the f— up, you’re on Ozempic or one of those things. Just be real with the people.
“When I got lipo, I was like, ‘I got lipo, OK?’”
She also spoke about about undergoing liposuction on Chelsea Handler’s podcast “Dear Chelsea,” said she ultimately decided to have the surgery done after turning 40, following a C-section, and having her uterus and appendix removed to stop her endometriosis pain, according to People.
Schumer said at the time, “I just wanted to say that, because if anybody sees me in pictures or anything and they’re like, she looks thinner, and whatever: it’s because I had a surgery. It’s too hard, and I just want to be real about it.”
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Blockbuster Weight Loss Drugs – A Weight Loss Revolution
There’s a variety of drugs available right now for weight loss, like injections Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy, (semaglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide) injections, that are booming like nothing else.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning that it mimics the effects of GLP-1 in the body. Given as weekly subcutaneous injections It is normally prescribed to manage blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. It also leads to a significant amount of weight loss in these patients.
Various drugs used for weight loss exist, including Nova Nordisk’s semaglutide—sold under brand names Ozempic, Weygovy, and Rybelsu—and Tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. Others include Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira), a prescription medication which lessens one’s appetite, Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion), and bupropion (the generic form of Wellbutrin).
And while it’s widely understood that eating heathy and getting enough exercise has been linked to better living and a reduction in various health risks, it appears these weight loss drugs available to the public are offering the same type of benefits for people across the U.S.
Expert Resources On Healthy Living
Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, the highly popular new drug known under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsu, has been shown to offer long-term weight loss effects for patients taking the injection, which is an FDA-approved prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes.
The drug, which is administered as a weekly injection, assists the body by helping the pancreas make more insulin, ultimately lowering blood sugar levels. Although the medication has not been FDA-approved for weight loss, the drug has been prescribed by some doctors.
Another weight loss drug on the market is also weekly injection, called tirzepatide, sold under brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. Mountjaro was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2022 to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, as an addition to diet and exercise.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Mounjaro works by increasing insulin levels in your body, which decreases your blood sugar (glucose). While you take this medication, you’ll undergo monitoring in the form of a simple blood test called the HbA1C (A1C) every 3 to 6 months. This test will measure your blood sugar control over the last 2 to 3 months.
Zepbound was later approved by the FDA in November 2023 for chronic weight loss management for adults with obesity. At the time of the approval, John Sharretts, M.D.,a director in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement, “Obesity and overweight are serious conditions that can be associated with some of the leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. In light of increasing rates of both obesity and overweight in the United States, today’s approval addresses an unmet medical need.”
Meanwhile, prescription appetite suppressant Lomaira (phentermine) and Adipex-P (phentermine) are approved for people ages 17 and older for weight loss.
And back in September 2014, a naltrexone-extended release plus bupropion extended release was approved under the brand name Contrave as the fourth medication approved for long-term weight management in obese patients.
Other drugs approved for weight loss, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), include orlistat (Xenical), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), liraglutide (Saxenda), and setmelanotide (IMCIVREE).
The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk
The NIH explains on it’s website, “The FDA has approved five of these drugs—orlistat (Xenical, Alli), phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave), liraglutide (Saxenda), and semaglutide (Wegovy)—for long-term use. A sixth approved drug, setmelanotide (IMCIVREE), is limited to people who have been diagnosed with one of three specific rare genetic disorders, which must be confirmed by genetic testing. You can keep taking these medications as long as you are benefiting from treatment and not experiencing serious side effects.
“Some weight management medications that curb appetite are approved by the FDA for short-term use only, for up to 12 weeks. Although some health care professionals prescribe them for longer periods, not many research studies have looked at how safe and effective they are for long-term use. Never take weight management medications if you are pregnant. If you are planning to get pregnant, you should also avoid these medications, as some of them may harm the fetus.”
Understanding Negative Side Effects Associated With Weight-Loss Drugs
It’s important to be aware of the negative side effects associated with these types of medication, and in Ozempic’s case, this includes an increased risk of cancer, healthcare company Lexicomp recently revealed.
Lexicomp explains Ozempic as “an injectable prescription medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus that: along with diet and exercise may improve blood sugar (glucose),” noting it’s not the first choice of medicine for treating diabetes.
As for the most important information people should know before taking the drug, Lexicomp says Ozempic may cause serious side effects. Some of the possible side effects include:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- changes in vision
- low blood sugar, kidney problems
- kidney failure
- serious allergic reactions.
“The most common side effects of OZEMPIC may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain and constipation. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away,” Lexicomp states.
“These are not all the possible side effects of OZEMPIC. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.”
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also says, regarding Lexicomp’s warning, “This drug has been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not known if this happens in humans.
“If thyroid cancer happens, it may be deadly if not found and treated early. Call your doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or have hoarseness that will not go away.
“Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.”
The side effects that call for immediate medical attention, in regard to all uses of the drug, the MSKCC lists as:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; change in stools; dark urine or yellow skin or eyes; or fever with chills.
- Severe dizziness or passing out.
- A fast heartbeat.
- Change in eyesight.
- Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.
- Severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problems (pancreatitis) have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
For anyone using the drug for weight loss, they should speak with their doctor if they notice “new or worse behavior or mood changes like depression or thoughts of suicide.”
Semaglutide Carries Side Effects
Semaglutide is an invaluable addition to the repertoire of drugs used to fight diabetes and obesity and strengthen the immune system, as demonstrated by the study. However, like all drugs, it carries side effects that must be considered by anyone contemplating treatment with semaglutide.
Side effects include:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Stomach Pain.
- Constipation or Diarrhea.
- Low blood sugar, which can cause dizziness, confusion, sweating, and headaches.
Most of these side effects can be managed with lifestyle modifications, such as eating more slowly and avoiding greasy and fried food.
Semaglutide can, occasionally, cause serious side effects, such as:
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Gallbladder problems
- Kidney problems
- Allergic reactions
These side effects require prompt medical attention.
Although semaglutide has been approved for blood sugar control in people with type II diabetes, under the brand name Ozempic, and for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy, it has not been approved for use as an immune booster and cancer preventative. Thus, it should not be prescribed for that purpose. Those taking it to control their diabetes or weight, however, can expect the additional benefit of improving their immunity and lowering their cancer risk.
The current semaglutide landscape may change in the future as more and more studies discover its benefits beyond controlling diabetes and aiding in weight loss.
Obesity & Cancer Risk
It’s important to understand that obesity increases an individual’s risk of developing a range of dangerous health conditions, including several types of cancer. In addition to increasing the likelihood of developing certain cancers, obesity is associated with worse treatment outcomes.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Stephen Freedland of Cedars Sinai Medical Center said, “Some of the best data we have is that obesity increases the risk of not just getting prostate cancer, but actually dying from prostate cancer. Obese men are 35 percent more likely to die from prostate cancer.”
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While obesity or a person’s high weight will not always cause them to develop cancer, other conditions associated obesity, like diabetes and heart disease, can lead to complications from cancer treatment if a person already has cancer. In addition, these conditions can sometimes prevent patients from receiving the recommended first-line therapies, as well as increase a patient’s risk of undergoing surgery.
Dr. Andrea Tufano-Sugarman of NYU Langone Health explained to SurvivorNet the benefits of losing weight.
“While all cancers cannot be prevented,” she said, “losing weight is a great way to reduce one’s risk.”
Dr. Tufano-Sugarman said that this is especially true for women; they lower their risk of developing breast cancer and endometrial cancer when they lose weight and keep it of.
How Can Diet Affect My Cancer Risk?
Even without losing weight, adopting a more nutritious diet can help.
“Food choices, independent of weight loss, may also help to reduce risk,” Dr. Tufano-Sugarman said. “Research has shown that the Mediterranean diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, fish and olive oil) is associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Whereas diets rich in red meat may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal and prostate cancer.”
Striving For a Healthier Lifestyle
People, including those diagnosed with cancer, should strive for a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a proper diet filled with fruits and vegetables and exercising – even minimally – can benefit overall health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Being overweight or having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer.”
Body weight that exceeds what the body mass index (BMI) deems appropriate for your weight and height can help determine body fat content. Although your BMI can help you learn if you are at a healthy weight, underweight, overweight, or obese, other factors may contribute to your overall health.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
