Doctors Say GLP-1s May Reduce Cancer Risk 59% More Than Diet and Exercise

Medications like Ozempic and Zepbound—a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists—are widely prescribed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, but are consistently linked to broader health benefits. Now, there’s a new one to add to the list.

A study published in the journal Annals of Oncology found a link between GLP-1 use and a reduced risk of developing obesity-related cancers. Research has already linked GLP-1s to a lowered risk of cancer in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, but this is the first time the association has been explored in people who only have obesity, not type 2 diabetes.

For the study, researchers analyzed a nationwide health database, focusing on 161,798 people with obesity with an average age of about 47. Of those, 80,899 used a GLP-1 medication, while 80,899 were given a consultation on diet or exercise.

The researchers found that after two years, those who used a GLP-1 medication had a “significantly lower” risk of developing any kind of obesity-associated cancer compared to those who underwent diet or exercise counseling.

Meet the experts: Anton Bilchik, M.D., Ph.D., surgical oncologist, chief of medicine, and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute; Mir Ali, M.D., medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center; Tracy Crane, Ph.D., R.D.N., director of lifestyle medicine, prevention, and digital health at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

As the researchers note in the study, more data is needed before these medications can be recommended for cancer prevention. But the findings raise questions about how GLP-1s might be used in the future. Here’s what doctors want you to know.

How much did GLP-1s lower cancer risk?

While overall risk was reduced by 59% as compared to those given counseling, the effect varied between different forms of cancer. Here’s a breakdown of what the researchers found:

• Multiple myeloma, 37% lower risk
• Pancreatic cancer, 40% lower risk
• Endometrial cancer, 42% lower risk
• Colorectal cancer, 49% lower risk
• Thyroid cancer, 62% lower risk
• Kidney cancer, 72% lower risk
• Ovarian cancer, 74% lower risk
• Breast cancer, 83% lower risk

What’s behind this link?

It’s important to note that the study only tracked these patients for about two years, so it’s hard to say whether the effect would continue beyond that. It also simply found an association between people who used these medications and a lowered risk of cancer—it didn’t prove that the medications prevented the disease.

Still, experts have theories on what could be behind this link. On a basic level, it could simply be that these medications help people lose weight. Anton Bilchik, M.D., Ph.D., surgical oncologist, chief of medicine, and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute, says obesity is a “well-established” risk factor for several cancers, so it’s “reasonable” to think that the way GLP-1s help people lose weight and keep it off could result in a lower risk of developing cancer.

But there may be more to it than that. “The most likely explanation is not one single pathway, but a cluster of metabolic improvements,” says Tracy Crane, Ph.D., R.D.N., director of lifestyle medicine, prevention, and digital health at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. “GLP-1s can lead to meaningful weight loss, better insulin regulation, lower inflammation, and changes in adipose tissue biology. Those pathways are all relevant to obesity-related cancers.”

GLP-1 medications may also help regulate the immune system, making the body better primed to fight cell mutations that could lead to cancer, Dr. Bilchik says.

It’s also entirely possible that people who receive GLP-1s may have better access to cancer-preventing care, are more likely to stick with medical recommendations, and have better lifestyle support compared to others, Crane says.

Ultimately, there’s more work to be done before any definite conclusions may be drawn. “While findings from this new study are encouraging, more robust and long-term research is needed before physicians can confidently prescribe GLP-1 medications to non-diabetic patients with obesity specifically for cancer risk reduction,” Dr. Bilchik says.

Diet and exercise are still important

Eating a diet centered around lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains can support weight loss, too, points out Mir Ali, M.D., medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center. And while Dr. Ali says “the majority of weight loss involves diet,” he also stresses the importance of exercise, which maintains muscle mass and supports a healthy metabolism.

Plus, both diet and exercise can help lower the risk of cancer outside of weight loss. “Weight loss itself is a key factor in reducing the risk of obesity-related cancers, but it should not be the only strategy. Patients can further reduce their cancer risk by participating in regular physical activity and consuming a nutrient-dense diet,” Dr. Bilchik says, adding that exercise can reduce inflammation and support immune health, which ultimately lowers cancer risk. “Similarly, a diet rich in whole foods, fiber, lean proteins, and antioxidants can help regulate blood sugar, reduce excess body fat, and support overall cellular health.”

“The message is not GLP-1s instead of diet and exercise,” Crane says. “The ideal strategy is GLP-1s, when clinically appropriate, plus lifestyle. Nutrition, physical activity, strength training, sleep, and evidence-based cancer screening all still matter.”