The popular injectables have shown an indirect side effect of reducing risk of colon cancer along with weight loss.
SAN ANTONIO — Weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic are all the rage right now, with many GLP1s having positive side effects that were previously unknown. A new study says certain injectibles may lower your risk of a certain cancer.
If you are taking weight loss injectables it may be to control your diabetes or to lose weight, but a new study found you may be getting an added benefit of a lower risk of colon cancer, as obesity increases your risk of that type of the disease. Dr. Colton Jones is a hematology and oncology fellow at UT Health San Antonio. He told us, “GLP-1 medications are mainly used to treat diabetes. And now most recently, obesity. And so the thought is is that if we reduce obesity in patients, who could potentially lower their risk of getting colorectal cancer. “
Dr. Jones was the lead author on the global study. He said, “The idea came up when I realized my family had a strong genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer and diabetes, and a lot of my family members were taking these GLP one agents.”
Researchers analyzed health records for 281,000 people drawn from a commercial health care database. Half took a GLP-1, and the other half took aspirin. Results showed a 36% lower risk of colon cancer in the group taking the GLP-1. Dr. Jones added, “Those who had high risk comorbidities such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis that risk reduction was even greater 42% risk reduction, which is impressive. Mind blowing. Actually.”
About 150,000 Americans were diagnosed with colon cancer in 2025. Researchers say with 6% of Americans now taking GLP-1 drugs, as many as 20 million people could be benefitting from a lower colon cancer risk, and a lower risk of death.
But getting screened for the disease is still the best way to keep it at bay. Dr. Jones stressed, “Anybody at average risk of colorectal cancer, the United States Preventive Task Force, now recommend screening at age 45.”