Ozempic and Wegovy may be doing more than helping users drop pounds. A new study from the University of California, San Diego, has found a strong link between GLP-1 medications and lower death rates in colon cancer patients.
The research, which reviewed health records from over 6,800 people with colon cancer, found those using GLP-1 receptor agonists had a five-year mortality rate of 15.5 percent. That’s a huge difference compared to the 37.1 percent seen in those who weren’t using the medications.
The survival boost was especially strong among patients with a BMI over 35, suggesting weight and metabolic health play a role in how these drugs work beyond diabetes and obesity.
“These results suggest that GLP-1 drugs may help counteract inflammatory and metabolic conditions that worsen colon cancer prognosis,” researchers noted.
Additional studies have hinted that GLP-1 medications might directly slow tumor growth. But the UC San Diego researchers stress that their findings are observational. They’re calling for clinical trials to explore whether these medications could be used as a cancer treatment.
Colon cancer remains a major health concern. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 107,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2025.
This study might open new doors for treatment options, especially for those battling both obesity and colon cancer.
