WEIGHT loss jabs could lower the risk of cancer, scientists say.
They found GLP-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro reduced the overall chances of the disease by 17 per cent in overweight and obese patients.
Medication like Mounjaro could help people lose weight and lower their risk of cancer[/caption]
The decreased risk was strongest for ovarian, womb and certain brain tumours.
But people taking the jabs were still less likely to develop other types, including pancreatic, bladder and breast cancer, than those not on the medication.
It’s another breakthrough for the ‘miracle’ injections, which have already been shown to tackle type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and possibly dementia.
Author Dr Jiang Bian, from the Indiana University School of Medicine, said: “GLP-1s are widely prescribed for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and have recently gained popularity for weight management.
“We found they were associated with a reduced overall risk of cancer.
“Even modest changes in cancer risk could have substantial public health implications.”
However, researchers also found that taking so-called ‘fat jabs’, which mimic a hormone to make users feel full, might be associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer, especially among users under 65.
“Further research is needed to clarify this potential risk,” Dr Bian said.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology, couldn’t conclude whether the change in cancer risk over eight years was due to the jabs themselves or drug-induced weight loss.
But scientists reckon that lower body fat, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation could be to thank.
In trials, semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy) helped users lose around 15 per cent of their body weight in 68 weeks, while those on tirzepatide (Mounjaro) shed up to 21 per cent.
Dr Stephen Lawrence, associate clinical professor at the University of Warwick, who was not involved in the study, said: “These drugs not only help shed pounds and lower blood sugar, but might add a modest bonus by being slightly associated with reducing overall cancer risk, especially for specific women’s cancers.
“With millions now eligible for GLP-1 therapy, even small shifts in risk matter at scale.
“These medicines remain widely safe, with a reassuring cancer profile and only a whisper of concern about an associated increase in kidney cancer.”
Are you eligible for fat jabs on the NHS?
By Isabel Shaw, Health Reporter
TO be eligible for weight loss injections on the NHS, you typically need a high BMI (body mass index) and a number of weight-related health conditions.
A BMI of 40 or more is usually required, or a BMI of 37.5 or more for certain ethnic groups.
For people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds, a lower BMI of 37.5 or higher may be considered due to increased health risks at lower BMI levels within these groups.
Additionally, you must have at least three or four of the following conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Abnormal blood fats
These injections are generally provided with a structured weight management programme that includes lifestyle support.
If you’re looking to access weight loss injections on the NHS, discuss your options with your GP.
The jabs are also available privately, though at a considerable cost. On average, they will set users back around £150 to £200 a month.