Do GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic reduce cancer risk?

A recent study suggests GLP-1 drugs likely have little to no effect on reducing the risk of obesity-related cancers, contrary to prior hopes.

What did the Mount Auburn Hospital study find about GLP-1s?

The study found that GLP-1 medications likely have little to no impact on the development of 13 obesity-related cancers.

Can GLP-1 medications increase the risk of cancer?

Current research suggests GLP-1 drugs probably do not increase cancer risk, though more long-term data is needed.

Home / Health / GLP-1 Cancer Link Debunked? New Study Shocks!

GLP-1 Cancer Link Debunked? New Study Shocks!

9 Dec, 2025

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Summary

GLP-1 drugs show little to no effect on obesity-related cancers.
New research reviewed 48 randomized controlled trials.
Study suggests drugs likely do not increase cancer risk.

GLP-1 Cancer Link Debunked? New Study Shocks!

Recent research indicates that popular GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic and Zepbound, may not offer the anticipated benefits in reducing the risk of obesity-related cancers. A large-scale review of 48 randomized controlled trials, encompassing nearly 95,000 participants, found that these drugs likely have minimal to no impact on the development of 13 specific obesity-related cancers.

The study, which analyzed data from patients with Type 2 diabetes, overweight, or obesity, observed that despite the weight loss associated with GLP-1 drugs—a factor known to influence cancer risk—the medications themselves did not demonstrate a significant reduction in cancer incidence. Researchers concluded with moderate certainty that GLP-1s had little effect on breast, kidney, thyroid, and pancreatic cancers, with varying levels of certainty for others.