Figure 2.

Main biological mechanisms linking obesity and cancer risk. Obesity constitutes major determinants of the increasing incidence and prevalence of cancer. Several aspects underlying obesity, such as hyperinsulinemia, adiposity, and low grade inflammation, have been found as the major causes leading to cancer onset. Downward arrow indicates a decrease, whereas upward arrow indicates an increase. Abbreviations: GHR: Growth Hormone Receptor; IGFBP-1: Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1; SHBG: Sex Hormone Binding Globulin; TNF-alfa, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alfa; IL-6: Interleukin-6; IGF-1: Insulin Growth Factor-1. Parts of the figure were drawn by using pictures from Servier Medical Art. Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.