As researchers continue studying GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro in a range of conditions beyond their approved uses, a growing body of evidence is pointing toward a meaningful role in cancer prevention and outcomes — with some of the most significant findings emerging just weeks ago.
Here is what the latest research shows.
1. GLP-1s are linked to improved survival in colorectal cancer. A January study found that over a 10-year period, GLP-1 drugs were associated with about 5.6 fewer deaths per 100 patients with colorectal cancer and obesity compared to those who did not take a GLP-1, based on data presented at the American Society for Clinical Oncology’s Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.
2. Breast cancer survival and recurrence outcomes are also promising. A May 11 study, published in JAMA Network Open, linked GLP-1 use to significantly lower all-cause mortality and recurrence risk among breast cancer patients with obesity or Type 2 diabetes over a 10-year follow-up.
3. Penn Medicine found a 30% lower breast cancer incidence. A retrospective analysis of more than 110,000 women presented at ASCO’s 2026 annual meeting found those who took GLP-1 medications were about 30% less likely to develop breast cancer. Penn is now working to establish a multisite clinical trial among high-risk patients.
4. Cleveland Clinic data links GLP-1s to reduced cancer progression. A study of 10,225 patients with stage 1 to 3 cancers — including breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, liver and non-small cell lung — found GLP-1 use was associated with reduced disease progression to stage 4, also presented at ASCO 2026.
5. Mayo Clinic found lower mortality and metastasis rates in endometrial cancer. A Mayo Clinic Florida study found GLP-1 use among patients with endometrial cancer and comorbid obesity was associated with lower rates of overall mortality, sepsis, and peritoneal, lymph node and visceral metastases.
6. A combination approach may further cut endometrial cancer risk. A February 2026 study found that patients with endometrial hyperplasia or benign uterine pathology had a 66% reduced risk of developing endometrial cancer when treated with progestins and a GLP-1, compared to progestins alone — and roughly a 70% reduction compared to metformin plus progestins.
All findings to date are observational, and researchers across studies have called for randomized controlled trials before GLP-1s can be formally positioned as cancer prevention or treatment tools.
