Weight loss jabs could halve the risk of obesity-related cancers, a landmark study has found.
Injections such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and WeGovy could have a preventative effect on a number of cancers, according to new research carried out.
Cancer experts said the study and its findings could be “transformational” in how the NHS operates with certain patients, adding that the study could kickstart a “whole new era of preventive cancer medicine”.
The study, carried out by researchers based in Israel, looked at the weight loss journey of 6,000 patients with no previous risk of cancer.
These people had either undergone bariatric surgery or took glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) liraglutide (Saxenda), exenatide (Byetta) or dulaglutide (Trulicity).
They found that those who had bariatric surgery lost around double the weight of those on weight-loss medication, and in turn reduced their risk of cancer by 30 to 42 percent.
In turn, those on the medications lost weight at a slower rate, but reduced their cancer risk by a whopping 50 per cent.
The drugs work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone in the body, which lowers blood sugar levels and makes people feel fuller for longer.
The study comes a week after new rules were put in place to tighten up the regulation of selling the medication.
UK online pharmacies will have to now follow stricter regulations when prescribing weight-loss jabs, according to new General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) rules.
The clampdown comes after several reports of people entering a false weight online to meet the criteria for the injections.
Under the new guidance, patients must have their body mass index (BMI) verified in person or via a video consultation, alongside information from their GP or medical records. A phone call or online questionnaire alone will not suffice.
So who will be eligible for weight-loss jabs under the new regulations?
Who is eligible for weight-loss jabs?
To qualify for weight-loss jabs Wegovey or Mounjaro, adults must have a BMI of at least 30 (meaning they are obese); or have a BMI of at least 27 and a weight-related health problem, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Adolescents aged over 12 are also eligible to take Wegovey if they are obese and have a body weight higher than 60kg.
However, how a patient’s BMI will be measured under the new guidance remains uncertain. “I’m finding it difficult to imagine how this could be verified reliably and safely through a video consultation,” said Dr Piotr Ozieranski, a sociology reader at the University of Bath, as quoted by the Guardian.
Dr Ozieranski said patients proving their height and weight via video without error might be challenging. He added: “Some patients might find it uncomfortable to share a live video of their weigh-in or height measurement.”
He is also concerned about how patient privacy and confidentiality can be protected appropriately if a third-party recording platform is used. “I’m not convinced this would be conducive to safe and high-quality clinical decision-making for many patients,” he said.
What happens if pharmacies break the rules?
Chief executive of the GPhC, Duncan Rudkin, told the Guardian: “Our inspectors will continue to inspect online pharmacies and will look for evidence that pharmacies are meeting our standards.”
Pharmacies that ignore the new guidance may face investigations or inspections. This could lead to more stringent measures being implemented, including limiting the medications pharmacies are allowed to supply or suspending the outlets altogether.
How do weight-loss jabs work?
Wegovy and Mounjaro are weight-loss drugs administered via weekly injections.
They reduce the patient’s appetite by suppressing the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone. This transmits signals to the brain that the patient has eaten and delays stomach emptying, increasing the feeling of fullness.
Mounjaro also affects glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), another hormone that controls metabolism and helps to regulate energy balance.
