Obesity is a growing concern in the US due to its escalating prevalence and its potential to increase risk for multiple types of cancer, especially among racial/ethnic minority populations. When in the metabolically dysregulated state caused by obesity, the body is more susceptible to disease, including cancers. The mechanisms by which these cancers develop is still under investigation and will be the focus of the researchers participating in this consortium.
The overall purpose of MeDOC is to enhance our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms that link obesity, metabolic dysregulation, and increased cancer risk. Additionally, MeDOC research findings have the potential to lead to improved cancer risk prediction, better screening for high-risk individuals in clinical settings, and more rapid identification of potential targets for preventive and therapeutic interventions.