Can weight-loss drugs like Ozempic help prevent cancer? New study says yes
New research suggests GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro may lower the risk of several obesity-related cancers, even matching surgery in preventive benefits
 "Can weight-loss drugs like Ozempic help prevent cancer? New study says yes")
What if a medication designed to help with weight loss could also protect you from cancer? New research suggests it’s a possibility. Scientists have found that certain weight-loss drugs, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, might not only help people shed kilos but also significantly lower the risk of obesity-related cancers.
Weight-loss drugs may reduce more than weight—possibly cancer risk
In a recent study titled “Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists compared with bariatric metabolic surgery and the risk of obesity-related cancer”, published in The Lancet’s open-access journal eClinicalMedicine, researchers found that people taking first-generation GLP-1 drugs—like Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy), Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), Dulaglutide (Trulicity), Exenatide (Byetta), and Liraglutide (Victoza)—had a similar reduction in cancer risk as those who underwent bariatric surgery, despite losing less weight on average.
Study highlights and key findings
- Participants: Over 6,300 adults in Israel with obesity and type 2 diabetes
- Duration: Patients were tracked for an average of 7.5 years (up to 12.9 years)
- Cancer focus: Breast, colorectal, uterine, ovarian, pancreatic, and liver cancers
- Key finding: GLP-1 drugs showed a 41 per cent greater direct protective effect than surgery after adjusting for weight loss
How did GLP-1 drugs perform compared to bariatric surgery?
The occurrence rates were nearly identical in both groups:
- Bariatric surgery group: 150 of 3,178 developed cancer
- GLP-1 drug group: 148 of 3,178 developed cancer
Even though surgery led to more weight loss, GLP-1 medications matched it in cancer prevention, and after adjusting for weight, they showed a stronger direct effect.
Why GLP-1 drugs may protect against cancer
Researchers believe inflammation is the key. Obesity creates a pro-inflammatory state, which is known to increase cancer risk. GLP-1 receptor agonists:
- Decrease immune system overactivation
- Lower inflammatory markers
- Improve hormone regulation
These combined effects may reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs available in India
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) by Eli Lilly
Weekly injection for type 2 diabetes
Cost: ₹3,500 (2.5 mg), ₹4,375 (5 mg)
Semaglutide (Wegovy) by Novo Nordisk
Weekly injection
Yet to launch in India
Expected monthly cost: ₹8,000 to ₹14,000
Semaglutide (Rybelsus) by Novo Nordisk
Daily oral medicine
Cost: ₹12,000 to ₹13,000 a month
Potential risks and side effects of GLP-1 drugs
Common and rare side effects include:
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, diarrhoea)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Rare kidney complications
Concerns over links to pancreatic or thyroid cancer (no confirmed causal evidence so far)
Final takeaway: promising, but more research needed
Experts caution that while the findings are promising, more randomised trials and long-term studies are essential. GLP-1 drugs could be part of a larger arsenal in cancer prevention, but their full implications are still being understood. For more health updates and wellness insights, follow #HealthWithBS