Is Fat an Ingredient to Prostate Cancer?

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Fat has been known to contribute to the emergence of many diseases but, for overweight and obese men, there is also an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. A study conducted by researchers from the Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale in France suggested that these fat cells are even likely to speed up cancer development.

The study, which was published in the Nature Communications journal, stated that fat cells release a protein molecule called CCL7 that inevitably binds to cancer cell molecules called CCR3 and this interaction results in the cancer cells spreading faster in the body. It contributes to the advancement of a patient's deterioration.

Researchers conducted their study in mice but stated that humans have the very same fat cells, according to BBC. The experts genetically-engineered cancer cells in their test subjects and tried to mimic obesity effects in one group of mice by giving them a high-fat diet. Another group of mice with genetically-engineered cancer cells were given a normal diet.

The researchers discovered that tumor progression was greater in the first group of test subjects and the spread was faster outside of the prostate glands. The researchers also compared their findings with CCR3 human prostate tissue cancer cells and found many with aggressive cancer.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prostate cancer is prevalent in the United States, ranking this as the second most common cancer killer among white, Hispanic, African American and American Indian men. Those who have prostate cancer don't exhibit the symptoms in most cases and many die of other causes without knowing of the tumor.

A variety of cancer diseases have long been linked to overweight and obesity problems but with prostate cancer; the indications are not quite obvious until it's too late. "This research in mice sheds light on why obese men with prostate cancer are more likely to have aggressive tumors," said Dr Aine McCarthy of Cancer Research UK. "It shows for the first time how fat cells surrounding the prostate use chemical signals to talk to tumor cells, enticing them to move and spread around the body."

The experts are now hoping that their findings will shed light on other studies that are looking into drugs or medication that could block the cancer cells, particularly in overweight and obese patients. If achieved, it could mean that the experts are one step closer to beating prostate cancer and helping overweight and obese individuals.