A clear, direct link between obesity and colorectal cancer, the second most common form of cancer in Australia, has been shown in a new analysis by The George Institute for International Health in Sydney.

The report, published in one of the leading cancer journals, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, shows that obese individuals (Body Mass Index* (BMI) >30 kg/m2) have a 20 per cent greater risk of developing colorectal cancer compared with those of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2).

The analyses also indicated that obese men are at 30 per cent greater risk of developing the cancer compared with obese women.

Findings from the study also showed that carrying even a few excess kilos substantially increases the risk of colorectal cancer; for every 5 kg weight gain the risk of developing the cancer increases by 7 per cent.