News: Women’s height linked to cancer risk

If you’ve long-loathed your short stature, a new study might make you feel a little bit better.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, shows that taller women have a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer.

‘We were surprised at the number of cancer sites that were positively associated with height. In this data set, more cancers are associated with height than were associated with body mass index [BMI],’ senior epidemiologist Geoffrey Kabat said in a press release. ‘Ultimately, cancer is a result of processes having to do with growth, so it makes sense that hormones or other growth factors that influence height may also influence cancer risk.’

Of course, you can’t control your height, but there are many risk factors – such as lifestyle, diet and habits - that you can control.

This study just makes it clear that you should make a healthier lifestyle a priority – whether you’re tall or not.

What do you think of the results of this study?

-Katharine Watts, associate web editor

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