A new study has shown that obesity is linked to cancer.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, obesity causes more than 100,000 incidents of cancer in US each year.

The American Institute for Cancer Research said excess body fat is linked to 49 percent of endrometrial cancers (a cancer that originates in the womb) and 35 percent of esophageal cancers.

Laurence Kolonel of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii explains, “It’s clearer than ever that obesity’s impact is felt before, during and after cancer, it increases risk, makes treatment more difficult and shortens survival.”

Prior to this, scientists have already known obesity and certain types of cancer are linked. However, this study is among the first to attest just how strong the link really is.

Although the researchers have yet to specify the exact link between the two, it is believed that the excess fat tissue may produce heightened levels of sex hormones that spur cancer growth or that fat lowers immune function.

(via AFP)