Why does height increase the risk of cancer?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Long-term people are at higher risk of cancer, with a 10% increase in risk by 10 cm above average, a recent study finds.

Researchers at the University of California at Riverside said that an increase in height increased the risk of cancer in women by 12%, compared with 9% in men.

The results indicate that the presence of more cells in the body, because of its excessive length, increases the risk of fatal disease. At the same time, certain types of "dwarfism" seem to significantly reduce the risks.

The study suggests that the growth-stimulating hormone, IGF-1, has an effect on cancer stimulation by accelerating the rate of cell division during growth and increasing the risk that tumors become unresponsive. you die.

The researchers calculated the average height in men (175 cm) and the average height in women (162 cm). They assessed the risk of 23 types of cancer.

Women have the highest risk of developing cancer of the thyroid, skin, lymphoma, colon, ovaries, breast and uterus.

For men, the risk of cancer of the thyroid, skin, lymphoma, colon, kidneys, bile ducts and central nervous system is increased.

The increase in size did not increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus, stomach or mouth or cervical cancer in women, and the size did not increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus, stomach or mouth or cervical cancer in women, and the size did not increase Has also not been associated with the risk of stomach cancer in humans.

"The rate of IGF-1 in adults is likely to have a direct effect on the risk of cancer by increasing the rate of cell division," said Professor Leonard Noni, a member of the Research team. "This relationship could be at the origin of the low rates of cancer seen in people with a lack of growth hormone receptor."

The researchers, who analyzed important data collections in Korea, Norway, Sweden and Austria, said that it was interesting to note that some cancers were not affected by length , including lung and cervical cancers.

While lung cancer is more likely to develop through smoking and cervical cancer through a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, researchers say the question remains open about both.

They pointed out that the results did not mean that women were more likely to develop cancer in general, with men "on average" facing a 55% higher risk than women.

The study was published in the Journal of the Royal Society "Proceedings B".

Source: Daily Mail