GLP-1 Drugs Like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide May Help Reduce Cancer Risk
Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or their compounded parts Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide originally developed to treat diabetes and obesity, are now showing potential for preventing certain types of cancer. These drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by regulating hormones, slowing digestion, and suppressing hunger. Recent studies indicate they may help reduce the risk of cancers linked to obesity, including breast, colon, liver, and ovarian cancer.
Arif Kamal, an oncologist and chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society, highlights the promise these drugs hold for cancer prevention. Research suggests that GLP-1 medications may lower cancer risk even for individuals who aren’t overweight. For example, a 2023 study in JAMA Oncology showed that these drugs could reduce the risk of colon cancer. Another study published in JAMA Network Open revealed that diabetic patients taking GLP-1 drugs had a lower risk of cancer compared to those on insulin treatments.
A study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) found that both bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications significantly lowered the risk of 13 obesity-related cancers. Bariatric surgery reduced cancer risk by 22% over ten years, but those taking GLP-1 drugs saw a much larger reduction—39%. Kamal noted that this is one of the most substantial risk reductions observed in cancer prevention.
These findings are significant because obesity is a key driver of cancer, particularly in organs involved in digestion and metabolism, such as the liver, pancreas, and reproductive organs. Fat cells increase estrogen production, which can fuel the growth of cancers, especially in women. Rising obesity rates among both men and women have contributed to a narrowing gender gap in cancer risk.
Interestingly, GLP-1 drugs seem to offer cancer protection even for individuals who don’t experience significant weight loss. Cindy Lin, a physician at Case Western Reserve and co-author of the ASCO study, believes that the benefits of GLP-1 medications likely extend beyond weight loss. Their anti-inflammatory properties and improved glycemic control may also play a role.
Although more research is needed, these early findings are encouraging. As Benjamin Liu, another co-author of the ASCO study, points out, GLP-1 drugs may offer a less invasive alternative to bariatric surgery for reducing cancer risk, making them a more accessible option for many patients.
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