Staying fit and trim is one common way to achieve better health, but can maintaining consistent weight also help prevent some forms of cancer?

Members of the SU2C Multiple Myeloma Dream Team have discovered that maintaining a lean and stable weight throughout life may provide the added benefit of preventing multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells that are part of our blood.

Researchers analyzed data from two very large studies that followed female and male healthcare workers over decades. They correlated patterns of stable weight, or weight gain-loss cycling and multiple myeloma diagnoses. The researchers found that people who had extreme weight cycling — gain and loss of more than 20 pounds — had an increased risk of developing multiple myeloma when compared to individuals who maintained their weight. In addition, individuals who started with a mid-range body shape and grew larger, had a greater risk of developing multiple myeloma than those who maintained a lean body shape throughout adulthood.

This study adds to the body of research that finds maintaining a lean and stable weight throughout life can reduce the risk of cancers such as multiple myeloma. You can read the scientific paper here.

* Grants are managed by the SU2C Department of Science Strategy and Management and AACR, the Scientific Partner of SU2C.