Fat jabs Ozempic and Wegovy could also slash risk of bowel cancer, groundbreaking study suggests
FAT jabs could slash the risk of bowel cancer, scientists say.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio found type 2 diabetes drugs like Ozempic, which are also used for weight loss, might prevent the deadly disease.
They could even benefit people who aren’t overweight.
Called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), the drugs are usually injected and treat type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
They also help manage weight, which is what lead pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk to develop weight loss jab Wegovy after the success of its diabetes treatment Ozempic.
The 15-year study of 46,000 diabetic patients found there were 94 bowel cancer cases among the half who were taking the injections, compared to 167 in the half who were not – a 44 per cent reduction.
Professor Rong Xu, one of its authors, said: “To our knowledge this is the first indication this popular class of drugs reduces incidence of colorectal cancer.”
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with 42,900 Brits diagnosed yearly, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) said.
Being overweight increases the risk of diabetes, as well as different types of cancer.
In fact, it’s estimated that 11 per cent of UK bowel cancer cases are linked to being overweight or obese, according to CRUK.
But smoking, drinking alcohol, eating red and processed meat and not having enough fibre could also put you at risk.
Injections like Ozempic have surged in popularity because they banish hunger pangs and help rapid weight loss, while lowering blood sugar levels.
But the study published in JAMA Oncology showed the jabs might be used to ward off bowel and other cancers linked to obesity and diabetes in the future – including breast, womb and kidney cancer.
The injections had “more profound effects” on overweight participants, researchers said, suggesting that prevention of bowel cancer was partially due to weight loss.
Scientists also examined whether other popular type 2 diabetes drugs had the same preventative effect.
Taking Metformin was found to reduce bowel cancer cases by 25 per cent.
Author Nathan Berger said: “Our results clearly demonstrate that GLP-1 RAs are significantly more effective than popular drugs like Metformin or insulin at preventing the development of bowel cancer.
“The research is critically important for reducing incidence of colorectal cancer in patients with diabetes, whether or not they’re overweight and obese.”
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising, as it doesn’t always cause people to feel unwell.
But symptoms could include:
- Peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling thirsty all the time
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying to
- Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- Blurred vision
Diabetes UK says 2.4 million Brits could be at risk of developing the condition.
Research has shown it raises the risk of cancers and heart and kidney diseases and brings them on sooner.
Meanwhile, experts from the University of Leicester said women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to die of cancer than those who don’t have the condition.
What are the signs of bowel cancer?
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs of bowel cancer include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you’ve been to the loo