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Weight loss is often a presenting manifestation of cancer; this association was explored in more detail with this prospective cohort study involving female nurses and male health professionals. About 157,000 participants (age, ≥40; 70% women) without known cancer were followed for a mean of 28 years, during which about 16,000 received cancer diagnoses. Intentionality of weight loss was inferred from patient-reported lifestyle modifications (i.e., diet and exercise) that might result in weight reduction.
Loss of >10% of body weight was associated with significantly higher incidence of cancer within 1 year than was no weight loss. Some noteworthy specific findings are as follows:
In participants older than 60 who lacked characteristics associat…