Abstract

        Obesity and environmental pollution are converging global health challenges that collectively drive the rising 
incidence of cancer and metabolic diseases. Adipose tissue, once regarded as a passive fat depot, is now recognized 
as a dynamic endocrine and immune organ, capable of storing lipophilic pollutants and modulating systemic 
homeostasis. Persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and particulate matter 
accumulate in adipose tissue where they exacerbate oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and hormonal disruption. 
These processes intersect with obesity-associated insulin resistance, dysregulated adipokine secretion, and immune 
dysfunction, creating a permissive microenvironment for carcinogenesis. This review synthesizes evidence on the 
molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms by which obesity and pollutants interact to elevate cancer risk. Special 
emphasis is placed on oxidative stress and immune dysregulation as shared pathways, the modulating role of 
antioxidants and lifestyle factors, and the need for integrated public health approaches. Understanding this crosstalk 
is essential for designing preventive strategies in rapidly industrializing societies disproportionately affected by both 
obesity and environmental pollution.