However, GLP-1 agonist drugs such asWegovyandZepboundare promising significant weight loss and evena reduction in heart disease risk.
Could this newer class of obesity medications potentially help reduce the risk of obesity-related cancer, too?
GLP-1 therapies are not and will not be anti-cancer treatment, Hogan told Verywell in an email.
Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images
However, scientists are still learning about the unintended side effects or benefits of these drugs.
Zepbound, like Wegovy, has a labelwarningthat it may cause thyroid tumors or cancer.
Time will tell if we see fewer obesity-related cancers in the future.
What This Means For You
GLP-1 drugs have not been proven to reduce cancer risk.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Obesity and cancer.
Berger NA.Young adult cancer: influence of the obesity pandemic.Obesity.
2023;31(7):1787-1797. doi:10.1002/oby.23772
