New research reveals that GLP-1-based weight-loss drugs may significantly reduce the risk of obesity-related cancers, offering a promising path for prevention.
In a major breakthrough, Israeli researchers found that people using GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such as Saxenda, Byetta, and Trulicity, had up to 50% lower risk of developing obesity-linked cancers. The study followed over 6,000 patients who either underwent bariatric surgery or took GLP-1 drugs, and none had a prior history of cancer.
The findings, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, show that even though surgery led to more weight loss, the cancer protection from the drugs was just as strong—and even more effective per kilogram lost.
GLP-1 Drugs Offer Comparable Protection to Surgery
Bariatric surgery patients lost nearly twice as much weight as those who took GLP-1 medications. However, when scientists looked closer, they found that GLP-1 users experienced a similar drop in cancer risk.
The study showed that bariatric surgery reduced cancer risk by 30% to 42%. But when researchers adjusted the data for how much weight was lost, the GLP-1 group showed even greater cancer protection per kilo.
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking natural hormones in the body. These hormones help reduce appetite, slow digestion, and help people feel full longer, leading to meaningful weight loss.
Inflammation May Be the Key
Professor Dror Dicker, one of the study’s lead authors, explained that the strong cancer protection is likely tied to the drugs’ ability to lower inflammation—a known trigger for many types of cancer.
“These medications not only help people lose weight but also seem to reduce systemic inflammation,” Dicker said. He added that newer drugs in this class may boost this effect even more.
Still, he urged caution. “We need further trials to understand whether these drugs affect other cancer types not linked to obesity,” he noted.
Mounjaro vs. Wegovy: Which Is More Effective?
Another related study compared the new GLP-1 drug Mounjaro to Wegovy, one of the most commonly used weight-loss injections.
Results showed that Mounjaro led to a 20.2% weight loss, while Wegovy users lost 13.7%. This means Mounjaro’s effect was around 50% stronger, making it a possible front-runner in future cancer prevention strategies.
Both studies were highlighted during the European Congress and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Experts Praise the Findings as a Game-Changer
Professor Mark Lawler from Queen’s University Belfast called the results “a game-changer” in the field of cancer prevention.
He emphasized how the data reinforce the link between inflammation and cancer and said GLP-1 drugs offer a safe and scalable solution to reduce cancer risk in high-risk populations.
“These findings support large-scale testing—not just for those with obesity but potentially for everyone at risk,” he said.
Calls for Immediate Global Action
Across the medical world, experts are now urging fast-track clinical trials. A group of 54 scientists from 12 countries signed a joint letter demanding large-scale studies to explore the cancer-fighting potential of these drugs.
In response, researchers at the University of Manchester are launching a major study funded by Cancer Research UK. The goal is to enroll tens of thousands of participants over the next three to five years.
Professor Jason Halford from the University of Leeds also pushed for trials involving people who already have cancer. He believes weight control at diagnosis could improve treatment response and survival rates.
A Breakthrough in Public Health?
Dr Matthew Harris from the Manchester Cancer Research Centre called GLP-1 drugs the first real “population-level” tool for preventing cancer linked to obesity.
“These injections could finally offer a simple, cost-effective way to prevent cancer on a national scale,” Harris said. “They’re easy to distribute, have few side effects, and already show strong results.”
This growing body of research shows that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are not only effective for weight management but may also offer powerful protection against cancer. With global trials now in motion and expert support rising, these medications may soon play a central role in cancer prevention strategies worldwide.