Obesity epidemic to push cancer rate up

LONDON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A British cancer charity says the country's obesity epidemic is causing cancer rates to rise.

Cancer Research UK said there could be an 1,500 extra cases a year by 2010, the London Telegraph reported.

The group said almost 4 percent of cancers are attributed to being overweight. British officials say the number of obese and overweight people is set to rise 14 percent by 2010.

"After smoking, obesity is considered one of the most important preventable causes of cancer," the newspaper said.

The Telegraph said U.S. research has shown that being obese increases the risk of dying of cancer by up to a third.