“Why overweight and obesity may lead to better cancer outcomes: the obesity paradox"

Summary: Dr. Caan will discuss the “obesity paradox” in cancer. The paradox is that being obese may be associated with getting cancer, however once you are diagnosed with cancer you may have better cancer outcomes including longer survival if you are either overweight or mildly obese. This is a very controversial topic and Dr. Caan will present some of her research findings as well as those of others to demonstrate what may be responsible for this paradox.

Brief Bio: Dr. Bette Caan is a senior research scientist and nutritional epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente, Division of Research. She has been at the Division of Research since 1983. She holds a master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University, a master's degree in epidemiology from UC Berkeley, and a doctorate in public health nutrition from UC Berkeley.

She directs a research program examining modifiable lifestyle risk factors for the prevention and progression of cancer, focusing on body composition and energy balance risk factors. Dr. Caan has authored or co-authored over 475  publications covering a wide range of topics, primarily in nutrition and body size, cancer epidemiology, and women's health.

Our host:  Moshe Reder