Weight loss surgery reduces the risk of skin cancer

Weight loss surgery (otherwise known as bariatric surgery) is associated with a distinct reduction in skin-cancer risk, a study published in JAMA Dermatology shows. This finding can be described as a key piece of evidence that substantiates the connection between weight loss and malignant skin cancer.

That obesity is a risk factor for several types of cancer is well known. The same applies to the fact that people's risk level can be lowered by means of an intentional weight reduction. However, the evidence for a connection between obesity and weight loss on the one hand and, in particular, malignant skin cancer on the other has been limited to date.

The findings support the idea that obesity is a risk factor for malignant skin cancer, including melanoma, and indicate that weight loss in individuals with obesity may reduce their risk for this severe form of cancer.