Could weight loss drugs help prevent cancer? Here’s what a new study found.

GLP-1 Agonists May Reduce Cancer Risk, Study Finds

Studies have shown that GLP-1 agonists, popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, may have benefits beyond just curbing appetite. New research is now exploring the potential impact of these drugs on cancer risk.

In a recent observational study presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference, researchers discovered that GLP-1 agonists could modestly decrease the risk of 14 obesity-related cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, when compared to a different type of diabetes medication called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DDP-4) inhibitors, which do not have the same weight loss effects. The study, which involved 170,030 adults with obesity and diabetes from 43 health systems in the United States, found that patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists had a 7% lower risk of developing obesity-related cancer and an 8% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those taking DDP-4 inhibitors.

While the difference in cancer risk between the two treatments was not statistically significant for men, women treated with GLP-1 agonists had an 8% lower risk of obesity-related cancer and a 20% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those treated with DDP-4 inhibitors.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, aims to continue research for a longer duration and include participants without diabetes. Dr. Robin Zon, President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, emphasized the importance of defining the clinical role of GLP-1 medications in cancer prevention, given the strong link between cancer and obesity. While the study does not establish causation, it suggests that these drugs may have a preventative effect, prompting the need for further research to validate these findings in individuals without diabetes.

According to an American Cancer Society study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians last year, over 40% of cancer-related deaths among adults aged 30 and above in the United States could be attributed to modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and diet.

As research on the potential cancer-preventative effects of GLP-1 agonists continues, it underscores the importance of addressing lifestyle factors to reduce cancer risk. Stay tuned for more updates on this promising area of study.

By Sara Moniuszko, Health and Lifestyle Reporter at CBSNews.com.