Weight

Obesity (having a body mass index [BMI—an expression of weight and height—of 30 or more) is known to increase the risk of cancer as well as its severity. A 2003 study found that men who were obese were 20 percent more likely to die of prostate cancer than normal-weight men. Obesity may contribute to cancer by increasing blood levels of sex hormones or insulin.

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Use our BMI calculator to find out if you weight too much for your height.

For more information on exercise and losing weight, see our section on weight control.