Unintended weight loss is the second highest predictor for ten types of cancer – prostate, colorectal, lung, gastro-esophageal, pancreatic, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ovarian, myeloma, renal tract and biliary tree. Researchers analyzed 25 studies including data from over 11.5 million patients. In women over the age of 60, cancer was associated with 6.7% of cases of unintended weight loss, and in men over 60, the association was as high as 14.2%. British Journal of General Practice
→Takeaway: Researchers conclude that unintended weight loss is highly predictive of cancer. More research is needed to identify the most appropriate testing and follow-up necessary in older individuals experiencing unintended weight loss.
