Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for several types of cancer. However, how obesity causes these cancers is still unknown. If we can identify the ways that obesity can cause certain cancers, we may be able to use this knowledge to design new ways to prevent or treat cancers.
Fat cells in humans release a protein called Fatty Acid Binding Protein type 4 (FABP4) into the bloodstream. Patients with more fat cells (e.g. higher levels of obesity) have higher levels of the protein in their blood. Higher levels of FABP4 have been found to correlate with many of the chronic health problems associated with obesity, like heart disease and diabetes. Some studies have also found that FABP4 levels also correlate with risk of cancers. In this study, we will find how much a patient’s FABP4 level relates to their risk of developing a wide range of obesity associated cancers.