Bariatric Surgery Associated with a 32 Percent Decrease in Cancer Risk

Sep 21, 2022 at 06:44 pm by Staff


 

TriStar Southern Hills bariatric program offers hope for healthier tomorrows in south Nashville and surrounding communities

 

NASHVILLE — A recent study published in JAMA shows that bariatric surgery is associated with a 32% decrease in the risk of obesity-related cancers and a 48% decrease in the risk of cancer-related deaths among adults with obesity. As the bariatric surgery program at TriStar Southern Hills grows, Dr. Patrick Davis says the surgery is providing a more accessible avenue for adults with obesity to create a healthier life.

“Carrying that much weight on your body creates a lot of stress from your joints, to your immune system and your cardiovascular system,” said Dr. Davis. “These are the biggest associated factors with not only cancer but with obesity-related conditions, including diabetes and sleep apnea.”

The CDC states that more than 684,000 obesity-associated cancers occur in the United States each year and the number of states in which at least 35% of residents have obesity has nearly doubled since 2018. These include many Southern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.

According to the study, not only did individuals who underwent bariatric surgery have a lower rate of cancer and cancer-related death but they also weighed, on average, 54.7 pounds less than those who did not undergo bariatric surgery. The study also states that bariatric surgery is the most effective, currently available treatment for obesity. Patients typically lose 20% to 35% of body weight after surgery, which is often sustained for many years.

“In the year after surgery, patients will come into my office, sometimes almost hard to recognize, and are just ecstatic with where they are in life. They’re able to do something they haven't done in years, if ever before. Whether that's going hiking, running a 5K, or no longer needing their CPAP machine. There's nothing more rewarding in my job than those visits,” said Dr. Davis.

TriStar Southern Hills offers Bariatric Surgery Seminars for anyone who wants to learn more about the different types of procedures available and what patients can expect leading up to and after the surgery. To learn more, visit TriStarSouthernHills.com.

TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center has served the communities of southern Davidson, northern Rutherford and Williamson Counties since 1979. This 136-bed, award-winning hospital has built a strong reputation for outstanding emergency, cardiology, bariatric, neurology, neurosurgery, and orthopedic services. Through continuous quality improvement programs, TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center maintains its commitment and vision to be the center of excellence for community-based healthcare. Home of the region’s first telestroke network, TriStar Southern Hills is able to provide state of the art care to its stroke patients, saving valuable time.

TriStar Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare providers in the region, comprised of eleven hospitals, 21 imaging centers, 110 physician offices, five freestanding ERs, seven outpatient surgery centers, 18 CareNow® Urgent Care centers and ten medical parks. TriStar Health utilizes advances in clinical technology and innovative procedures while delivering high-quality care. The TriStar Health network had over 2.2 million encounters last year, including 377,824 ER visits, 97,583 inpatient admissions, and 7,560 babies delivered and provides $132 million annually in uncompensated care. The network is supported by over 1,400 physicians and 10,000 employees – including more than 4,000 nurses – who, above all else, are committed to the care and improvement of human life. TriStar Health is an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. Learn more at TriStarHealth.com.

 

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