(MENAFN) A recent study led by researchers from Indiana University and the University of Florida suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists—drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy commonly used for diabetes and weight loss—may also reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Analyzing health data from over 86,000 adults with obesity, the study compared cancer outcomes between those using GLP-1 medications and those who were not. Results revealed that patients taking these drugs experienced a notably lower overall risk of developing cancer. The most significant declines were observed in cases of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and meningioma, a type of brain tumor.

However, the study also found a potential increase in kidney cancer risk among drug users, though researchers emphasized this finding lacked strong statistical significance.

While the research does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between GLP-1 drugs and cancer risk, it highlights an important correlation warranting further long-term investigation.

GLP-1 receptor agonists have become widely prescribed across the United States, initially for managing type 2 diabetes and more recently for aiding weight loss.

This emerging evidence could signal a broader impact of these medications beyond their current uses, but experts caution that more data is needed to confirm these associations.

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