Weight-loss drugs can cut breast cancer risk by up to 30%, studies suggest

Three studies add to evidence that jabs could be part of cancer-fighting toolkit to cut risk of developing or dying from disease Weight-loss drugs can cut the risk of developing or dying from cancer by 30%, doctors have said. Millions of people already use the drugs to treat obesity. Now a series of studies presented at the world’s largest oncology conference suggest the drugs could play a role in preventing and treating cancer. One analysis found those who took GLP-1 medications were 30% less likely to develop breast cancer, the world’s most common form of the disease, compared with those not taking weight-loss drugs. A second study found adding weight-loss drugs to standard treatment for breast cancer reduced the risk of patients dying from the disease by 30%. A third piece of research, in patients with breast, lung, bowel or liver cancer, found those on weight-loss drugs were up to 50% less likely to have their disease spread. The findings were shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago. GLP‑1 medications are a class of drugs that mimic a natural hormone in the body called glucagon‑like peptide‑1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite