Tall individuals have a slightly higher risk of developing cancer, according to a report by the World Cancer Research Fund. The report suggests that there is strong evidence linking height to an increased risk of cancers in the pancreas, large bowel, uterus (endometrium), ovary, prostate, kidney, skin (melanoma), and breast (both pre- and post-menopausal).
A study found that for 15 out of the 17 cancers examined, taller people were more likely to develop the disease. Specifically, each 10-centimeter increase in height was associated with a 16% higher risk of cancer, with similar trends observed in men.
To provide some context, if around 45 out of every 10,000 women of average height (about 165 centimeters) develop cancer annually, then approximately 52 out of every 10,000 women who are 175 centimeters tall would be affected. This represents a difference of only seven additional cases, highlighting that the increase in risk is relatively small.
Another study revealed that 22 out of 23 cancers were more common in taller individuals compared to their shorter counterparts.
According to Susan Jordan, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, and Karen Tuesley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Queensland, the relationship between height and cancer risk is consistent across ethnicities and income levels and has been observed in studies examining genes that predict height. However, this finding has not been consistent across all cancer types.
It’s believed that having more cells and higher levels of IGF-1 (a growth factor) could contribute to the increased cancer risk in taller individuals. However, further research is needed to fully understand why taller people are more susceptible to cancer and whether this knowledge could be applied to cancer prevention or treatment.
Also read: 5 Bad Lifestyle Habits to Avoid That Could Lead to Cancer Later in Life
What should you do if you’re tall?
Experts suggest that adopting certain lifestyle choices could help lower this risk:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Be cautious in the sun
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Most importantly, don’t smoke
Additionally, participating in cancer screening programs for breast, cervical, and bowel cancer can help detect these cancers early, improving the chances of successful treatment.