There’s a lot of interest in weight loss drugs right now. In this blog we take a look at  some of the questions people with cancer might have.

Weight management and cancer

There is a lot in the news about weight loss injections such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. These are sometimes called GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists). These drugs work by making people feel fuller for longer and reducing their appetite.

Many people across the UK are overweight and are looking for ways to help manage this. They may worry that extra weight can harm their health and increase the risk of conditions like diabetes, heart problems, stroke and cancer.

People living with cancer sometimes want to manage their weight and make changes because they:

• are preparing for or having treatment and want to be healthier
• have finished cancer treatment and want to make changes to improve their health

Losing weight can be challenging at any time but with the extra stress of a cancer diagnosis it can be even more so. We hope this blog helps answer some of the questions you might have about weight loss injections and cancer.

Should I be worried about cancer risk if I am overweight?

You may be worried about the risks that being overweight could have on your health, including the risk of developing cancer.

Amongst the general risks for developing cancer are some lifestyle factors such as your diet, your weight and how active you are. About 4 in 10 cancers (40%) could be prevented. Living a healthier lifestyle can help reduce your risk. And while you can’t reduce your risk of cancer completely, managing your weight can have a range of health benefits. For example, it can reduce your risk of conditions like diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

What can I do about my weight if I get a cancer diagnosis?

It might feel difficult to think about making changes when you have just been diagnosed with cancer. But even small changes to your diet and more physical activity can make a big difference to your treatment and recovery.

Your healthcare team can suggest things that are realistic and suitable for you. They can give you help and support. This is called prehabilitation and aims to get you as fit and healthy as possible, before, during and after treatment.

What if I’m unhappy with my weight after cancer treatment?

Cancer and treatments can cause changes to your body. These can affect how you think and feel about your body. Changes to your body may be temporary or permanent. They include changes that other people can see, such as hair loss or weight gain. They also include changes that are not obviously visible to others. People of any age or gender and with any type of cancer can have body image concerns.

You will need time to recover from treatment and to adapt to body changes. Even if your body looks or feels different, you can feel proud about it getting you through treatment. Eating healthily, getting enough sleep and being more physically active are ways of taking care of your body. This may help you feel more in control and improve your body image.