MORE than a quarter of obese and overweight people do not realise they are more at risk from cancer, a new survey has revealed.

Many are unaware of the benefits brought by a healthy lifestyle - even though the risk of bowel cancer increases by 60 per cent in someone who is obese and there is double the chance of bladder cancer, says a survey by Cancer Research UK.

Gemma Sloan, from Bolton Primary Care Trust's food and health team, said: "For overweight people, losing weight through a sensible combination of more physical activity and healthy eating can have huge benefits for mental as well as physical health."

This latest survey published today shows that more than half of 4,000 men and women interviewed across the country were overweight or obese, including 51 per cent in the North-west. Of these, 71 per cent did not know of the cancer connection, and nearly half of the of them did not believe that eating healthily could reduce the risk of cancer.

Almost two thirds were unaware that regular exercise could reduce this risk.

And more than 80 per cent did not know the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight, with a similar number failing to recognise how moderating alcohol intake can reduce cancer risks.

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at the charity, said: "It's worrying to think that people are in denial about their weight.

"People who are carrying extra weight face significant health risks including cancer."

l For a free leaflet with the Ten Top Tips programme, visit www.reducetherisk.org.uk