Cancer patients must speak to their doctor before taking weight-loss jabs, a charity has warned.
Macmillan Cancer Support said it felt compelled to issue the advice amid a rise in people seeking help over whether they can take them.
While ‘quick fixes’ may seem appealing, there is currently not enough evidence over how the drugs might affect anti-cancer treatments, it added.
The charity said more research is needed but it was already known the drugs may affect how other medicines are absorbed by the body.
This may include some anti-cancer drugs.
Dr Owen Carter, national clinical adviser at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: ‘Recently we have seen a noticeable increase in calls to Macmillan’s free support line and a flurry of messages on our peer-to-peer online community about weight-loss drugs.
‘We know that cancer affects everybody differently and it’s understandable that lots of people are interested in new drugs which accelerate weight loss, particularly if they want to manage their weight before or after treatment for cancer.
‘While “quick fixes” may seem attractive, we simply do not know enough about the long-term impact of these weight-loss medications to recommend them if they’re not prescribed by a specialist.
Cancer patients must speak to their doctor before taking weight-loss jabs, a charity has warned
‘Additionally, certain weight loss medications carry warnings about a potential link with thyroid cancer.
‘However, we know that eating well and staying as active as possible are proven to help people feel better, increase their energy levels and strengthen their immune systems, which can help them to manage their weight and cope better with cancer treatment.
‘If you have questions about cancer, including about weight-loss drugs, we urge you to speak to your GP or call the Macmillan support line.
‘Trusted advisers are available 8am-8pm, seven days a week, to provide callers with information and support, or just a listening ear.’
Macmillan said it has now published new information on its website about the drugs and cancer.
Being overweight increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and type-2 diabetes, which all place a burden on health services.
The NHS is rationing access to the weight-loss jabs, with those who are fattest and suffering weight-related complications being prioritised, leading many Britons to access them privately.
Fat jabs are now used by an estimated 1.5million people in the UK, with most paying for private prescriptions costing around £250 a month.
While ‘quick fixes’ may seem appealing, there is currently not enough evidence over how the drugs might affect anti-cancer treatments
Studies show weight-loss drugs can help people lose a fifth of their body weight, although some people have reported putting weight back one once they stop taking them.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England, last week told the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester that weight loss jabs could be doled out as widely as statins if competition in the market brings their price down
The country’s top doctor warned obesity costs the NHS £11.4 billion every year and described the financial burden as ‘unsustainable’.
From later this month GPs will be able to prescribe the fat jab mounjaro – also known as tirzepatide – for the first time, in what he labelled an ‘exciting milestone’.
