A class of drugs best known for shrinking waistlines and taking over social media is now attracting interest in oncology labs.
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy were developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, a chronic metabolic condition in which the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Their ability to induce sustained weight loss has since pushed them into the medical and cultural mainstream. As use has increased—with a recent Dalhousie University study estimating that roughly 10 per cent of Canadian adults now take a GLP-1 drug—researchers have begun examining whether these medications might also affect cancer, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Early findings suggest potential benefits for certain cancers, though evidence remains limited.
The scientific interest isn’t a coincidence. Obesity is a major, modifiable risk factor for many cancers, including those of the breast, colon, endometrium, liver, and pancreas. Excess adipose (fat) tissue contributes to chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal changes that can promote tumour development. Because GLP-1 drugs reduce body weight and improve metabolic health, researchers have hypothesized that they could indirectly lower cancer risk.
Large observational studies are beginning to explore that possibility. In an analysis of more than 1.6 million adults with Type 2 diabetes, with an average age of 59.8, GLP-1 use was associated with a significantly lower risk of 10 out of 13 obesity-related cancers compared with insulin therapy.
Another study of adults with obesity found that GLP-1 use was associated with a lower overall risk of cancer, with the strongest links observed for endometrial, ovarian, and meningioma cancers, which affect the membranes surrounding the brain. That study also noted a small, statistically nonsignificant increase in kidney cancer risk.
Not all research has found protective effects. A review of randomized controlled trials published last year concluded that GLP-1 drugs may have little or no effect on the risk of several common obesity-associated cancers, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer. These findings suggest the drugs aren’t broadly protective across all cancers but may offer benefits in specific cases.
Evidence is more consistent when it comes to cancer outcomes rather than cancer prevention. Among adults with cancer and Type 2 diabetes aged 66 or older, GLP-1 use has been linked to lower
overall mortality. In colon cancer, an observational study found that patients taking GLP-1 drugs had substantially lower five-year death rates than non-users, even after adjusting for disease severity and other health factors. The survival benefit appeared strongest among patients with obesity.
The drugs’ effects are likely due to multiple mechanisms. According to a 2025 study, GLP-1 drugs may reduce systemic inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity, both of which are associated with cancer progression.
Some early laboratory studies also suggest the medications may affect cancer cells directly. At the Harvard University-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, preliminary research indicates that administering GLP-1 to liposarcoma tumour cells may have an impact on how the disease develops.
Despite the growing interest, caution is warranted. GLP-1 drugs are expensive—about $400 per month in Ontario—typically intended for long-term use, and can cause side effects ranging from gastrointestinal distress to more serious complications. Their long-term effects, particularly in people without diabetes or obesity, remain unclear. Importantly, there’s no evidence to support using these drugs solely for cancer prevention.
Until more data emerges, public health guidelines stress that established strategies, including regular screening, healthy diet, physical activity, and early detection, remain our best tools for reducing cancer risk.
Tags
cancer, Health, Pharmaceuticals
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