Study Finds Taller People at Higher Risk of Developing Cancer

Recent studies have unveiled a notable connection between height and cancer risk, with taller individuals facing a higher likelihood of developing several types of cancer. The World Cancer Research Fund highlights strong evidence indicating that taller people are at an increased risk for cancers including those of the pancreas, large bowel, uterus, ovary, prostate, kidney, skin, and breast.

The UK Million Women Study revealed that for 15 out of 17 cancers investigated, the risk increases with height. Specifically, every 10-centimeter increase in height corresponds to a 16% rise in cancer risk. For context, this translates to an additional seven cancer cases per 10,000 women when comparing average height women to those who are significantly taller.

This association is observed across different ethnicities, income levels, and genetic backgrounds, suggesting a biological link between height and cancer risk. One theory posits that taller individuals have more cells, leading to a greater likelihood of cellular damage and subsequent cancer development. Another theory considers that a common factor might influence both height and cancer risk, although this remains less clear.