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When Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro first entered the spotlight, most of the conversation focused on weight loss. That alone was significant. Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, arthritis, and many other conditions. Helping people achieve and maintain meaningful weight loss has long been one of medicine’s greatest challenges, which is why our medical weight loss program treats GLP-1 medications as one tool within a broader plan rather than a quick fix.
But researchers are now asking a much bigger question: could GLP-1 medications also help reduce the risk of certain cancers?
What the latest research is showing
At this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, one of the largest cancer conferences in the world, researchers presented dozens of studies examining the relationship between GLP-1 medications and cancer. The findings were encouraging.
Across multiple studies, people taking GLP-1 medications appeared to develop certain cancers less often than similar patients who were not taking these medications. Researchers also reported signals suggesting that patients already diagnosed with cancer may experience better outcomes.
One real-world analysis of nearly 150,000 women found that GLP-1 use was associated with a meaningful improvement in overall survival, along with a modest reduction in new cases of hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. A separate study of more than 110,000 women presented at the same meeting found that those taking GLP-1 medications were roughly 30% less likely to develop breast cancer than those who were not. Researchers reported similar patterns involving colorectal, pancreatic, liver, and several other cancers.
Perhaps most surprising were the findings related to lung cancer. Unlike some cancers strongly associated with excess weight, lung cancer is not generally considered a weight-related cancer. Seeing a signal there has led researchers to wonder whether GLP-1 medications may be doing something beyond simply helping people lose weight.
Why this might be happening
This isn’t the first hint of a connection. In a 2024 study in JAMA Network Open that followed more than 1.6 million patients with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications were associated with a significantly lower risk in 10 of 13 obesity-associated cancers compared with insulin, including pancreatic, colorectal, and liver cancer. That study used insurance and health-record data rather than a controlled trial, but the size and consistency caught researchers’ attention.
Scientists are exploring several possible explanations. GLP-1 medications may reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body. They may improve metabolic health and insulin resistance, both of which create an environment that can encourage abnormal cell growth. They may even influence some of the biological pathways involved in how cancer develops and spreads.
At this point, no one knows for certain. What we do know is that inflammation and poor metabolic health are linked to many chronic diseases, including cancer. As researchers continue to study these medications, they keep uncovering benefits that may extend far beyond the number on the scale.
What this means for you
It is important not to get ahead of the science. These studies do not prove that GLP-1 medications prevent cancer. Most of the current research is observational, which means researchers can identify patterns and associations but cannot prove cause and effect. Medicine has seen promising early signals before that did not hold up in later clinical trials, and randomized studies are still needed before GLP-1 medications could ever be recommended specifically for cancer prevention.
So here’s the honest takeaway: GLP-1 medications are not cancer treatments, and they should not be prescribed for cancer prevention at this time.
Still, the consistency of the findings is difficult to ignore. A medication originally developed to manage diabetes has already transformed the treatment of obesity. It has shown benefits for heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic health. Now researchers are investigating whether cancer risk may be another piece of the story.
The growing body of research reinforces something we have emphasized for years: metabolic health matters, and it is something you can actively improve. While the science on cancer continues to develop, these habits already have strong evidence behind them:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can improve blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers.
- Reduce inflammation through diet. Emphasize whole foods, fiber, and omega-3 sources while limiting ultra-processed foods and added sugar.
- Control blood sugar. Stable glucose and lower insulin resistance are central to metabolic health.
- Move regularly. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, including resistance training to protect muscle, which is especially important for anyone using a GLP-1 medication.
- Prioritize sleep. Consistently getting 7–9 hours supports hormone balance and metabolic recovery.
If you are using or considering a GLP-1 medication, these are exactly the areas worth tracking over time, ideally alongside a physician who is monitoring more than just your weight. For more on protecting muscle while on these medications, see our guide on combining creatine with GLP-1 therapy.
How Legacy Physicians approaches this
At Legacy Physicians, we take a comprehensive approach to weight and metabolic health. Rather than simply writing a prescription, we look at the full picture, including inflammation, blood sugar, body composition, and the chronic conditions that often travel together. Our extended appointments give us the time to review the latest research, personalize your protocol, and adjust it as new evidence emerges. This same root-cause philosophy guides our chronic disease management work, and our membership plans are built around ongoing monitoring rather than rushed, one-time visits.
The story of GLP-1 medications continues to evolve, and we may only be at the beginning. If you’d like to talk through whether a GLP-1 medication fits into your broader health plan, schedule an appointment and we’ll build an approach around your goals.
This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. GLP-1 medications are not approved or recommended for cancer prevention. Talk with your physician about what is right for you.
References
- Wang L, et al. Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and 13 Obesity-Associated Cancers in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(7):e2421305. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820833
- American Society of Clinical Oncology. GLP-1s May Reduce Metastatic Progression of Certain Obesity-Related Cancers. ASCO 2026 Annual Meeting. https://www.asco.org/about-asco/press-center/glp-may-reduce-metastatic-progression
