Can Liposuction Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk?

We’ve told you time and time again how important it is to protect your skin from the sun to prevent skin cancer. And now that it’s summertime, we’re sure that you’ve been hitting the beach wearing wide brimmed hats and the best SPF. But it turns out, there might be something else we can do to lower our chances of getting skin cancer.

A recent study from Rutgers University suggests that there could be a link between liposuction and reduced skin cancer risk. Researchers found that after they removed abdominal fat from obese mice, they had a 75 to 80 percent less risk of developing UV induced skin cancers.

“Apparently in mice, abdominal fat secretes a protein that enhances the risk of some cancers. After liposuction, the decrease in the amount of fat, decreases the potential for malignancy,” says Beverly Hills, CA, plastic surgeon Leslie Stevens, MD. But the researchers behind the study were still unclear of whether liposuction was more effective than conventional weight loss or another method at reducing the risk.

Beverly Hills, CA, plastic surgeon Andrew Ordon, MD, told us that the conclusion from the study makes sense. “We know that if you maintain a lower weight your immune system is stronger, and if you have a better immune response you’re better equipped to fight off cancers.” Plus, if you’re obese, you’re at a higher risk to develop different types of cancers. That’s because in addition to having the wrong type of fat circulating in your system, your glucose and insulin levels may be off as well. All of which can have a negative affect on your immune system.

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