Early Data Shows the Impact of Expanding Access to GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
- An oral (pill) form of semaglutide is reaching a broader patient population, with early data compiled by data aggregator Truveta, which analyzed 30 U.S. Health Systems showed that most prescriptions in the first month after federal approval were from general practice providers, and many patients had no prior GLP-1 use.
- The new wave of users skews older, female, White, and urban, underscoring how the pill form may lower barriers for people who avoided or could not access injectable GLP-1 therapies before.
- “Some of the benefits for using GLP-1 agonists can be weight loss, improvement in glycemic control or blood glucose, decreased risk of weight-related conditions such as various cancers, like breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, liver disease,” Dr. Holly Lofton, director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone, says.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Being overweight or having obesity is linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer.” Some of these cancers include breast, colon, ovarian, and stomach (gastric).
As drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic (generic name: semaglutide) surge in popularity, the newly approved pill form of the drug is expanding access to more people interested in the weight loss treatment.
Early data from Truveta, a data aggregator that is comprised of 30 U.S. Health Systems shows that many people who haven’t previously used GLP-1 medications are now getting prescriptions for the Wegovy pill directly from their primary care providers. Read MoreWATCH: NYU’s Dr. Holly Lofton explains what we do know about GLP-1RAs and cancer risk
The FDA approved the oral version in December 2025, and uptake has been swift. Tens of thousands have already started the medication, which not only supports weight loss but also reduces the risk of diabetes and several cancers.
“Some of the benefits for using GLP-1 agonists can be weight loss, improvement in glycemic control or blood glucose, decreased risk of weight-related conditions such as various cancers, like breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, liver disease,” Dr. Holly Lofton, director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone in Manhattan, tells SurvivorNet.
In January alone, more than 26,000 prescriptions were written for the pill form, according to a Reuters analysis of IQVIA data.
To further ease access, the federal government reached an agreement with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower the out-of-pocket cost of a starter dose to $149.
What Does the Early Data Say About Expanding Access to the Wegovy Pill
Semaglutide works by impacting the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP) GLP-1 hormone.
Integral to blood sugar control, GLP-1 is a hormone released by the gut in response to food. It causes the pancreas to release insulin. A rising blood insulin level causes all body tissues to absorb glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream, lowering blood glucose levels.
GLP-1 also prevents the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels by stimulating liver cells to release glucose, and helps people feel full for longer. These effects can also cause people to lose weight.
“GLPs have been shown to help with addiction and addictive behaviors. They’ve been shown to help with other mental health issues. They are now FDA-approved for sleep apnea. This is going to continue,” Dr. Newman says.
WATCH: Obesity and Cancer Risk
Injectable GLP-1 therapies like semaglutide and tirzepatide have shown significant benefits for weight loss and overall health, but for many people interested in taking advantage of the weight loss drug, have often been shaped by practical barriers—how the drug is administered via an injection, whether patients can access it, how well they tolerate it, and what their insurance will cover.
The oral form of the weight loss drug may help lower some of those barriers by offering a non-injectable option that can be prescribed and managed across a wider range of clinical settings.
New data compiled by Truveta offers an early look at who is receiving the oral semaglutide pill in the weeks following FDA approval. The initial cohort was predominantly female (73.3%), White (72.8%), non-Hispanic or Latino (85.8%), and living in urban areas (71.6%). Many were older adults, with 34.0% between ages 45–59 and 37.8% age 60 or above.
Many patients who had been using the injectable version transitioned to the pill, but a substantial share had no prior history of GLP‑1 therapy at all. That pattern underscores the potential for oral options to broaden access beyond those already receiving injectable treatments.
Dr. Newman adds that people taking these weight loss drugs should also remember that if they don’t put forth a bit of additional effort, the weight loss may not last in the long run.
“Everyone on a GLP-1 should be picking up the weights, working on strength training, working on building muscle, and eating sufficient protein,” Dr. Newman says.
“The vast majority of patients on GLP-1s don’t do this, and so that is what sometimes results in both weight regain and dissatisfaction with the outcome of a GLP-1,” Dr. Newman added.
Cancer Risk and Obesity
Bodyweight can be a sensitive subject for many people on any given day. However, among cancer patients whose treatment and diagnosis may influence their weight, the numbers on the scale fuel an already emotional journey.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “Being overweight or having obesity are linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer.”
Research published in the journal “Cancers” says that “Obesity also increases the risk of dying from cancer and may influence the treatment choices. About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity.”
Some of the cancers associated with being overweight or obese include:
- Colon
- Breast
- Ovarian
- Esophagus
- Pancreatic
- Multiple myeloma
- Endometrial
- Liver
WATCH: Living a healthy lifestyle.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), fat tissue “produces excess amounts of estrogen,” which is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. The NCI says a person who is severely obese is “7 times” more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
Obesity is associated with high levels of insulin, which can lead to colon, kidney, prostate, and endometrial cancer.
Obesity can affect cancer survivors in various ways, including the chance of cancer recurrence and overall quality of life.
To learn more about your ideal healthy weight, determine your body mass index (BMI).
Body weight that exceeds what the body mass index deems appropriate for your weight and height can help determine body fat content. Although your BMI can help you learn if you are at a healthy weight, underweight, overweight, or obese, other factors may contribute to your overall health.
The NCI analyzed several studies to observe the impact of physical activity on overall cancer risk. The NCI says that “higher levels of physical activity are linked to lower risk of several types of cancer.”
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing stress are some ways people can practice leading a healthy life. For cancer survivors, a healthier lifestyle alongside getting regular checks for recurrence may improve their quality of life.
Side Effects of Semaglutide
Some of the possible side effects include:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- changes in vision
- low blood sugar, kidney problems
- kidney failure
- serious allergic reactions
“The most common side effects of OZEMPIC may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, and constipation. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away,” Lexicomp states. “These are not all the possible side effects of OZEMPIC. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.”
How Obesity Can Impact Cancer Risk
Being overweight or obese is linked with an increased risk of many types of cancer, including the following:
- Breast cancer (in women past menopause)
- Colon and rectal cancer
- Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus)
- Esophagus cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreas cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Meningioma (a tumor of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
Being overweight or obese might also raise the risk of other cancers, such as:
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Male breast cancer
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box
- Aggressive forms of prostate cancer
Tips to Live a Healthier Life
Dr. Ken Miller, the director of outpatient oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, recommends these four things for cancer survivors to do to try to avoid another cancer diagnosis:
- Exercise at least two hours a week; walking counts
- Eat a low-fat diet
- Eat a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables; doctors recommend two to three cups a day
- Maintain a healthy weight
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