Tall people are at greater risk of getting cancer, with the danger rising by around 10% for every 10cm above the average height, a study has found. Researchers said that being taller increases the risk of contracting cancer more for women by 12% compared to 9% for men.

The findings suggest that having more cells in your body, as tall people do, is the reason for the higher cancer risk. Meanwhile, some types of dwarfism appear to greatly reduce the risk. The research suggests that the hormone that stimulates growth, called IGF-1, has an effect on triggering cancer.

As IGF-1 speeds up the rate that cells divide as they grow, it also increases the chance that the cells will turn into tumors. The study was published in the Royal Society Journal called Proceedings B.

Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, calculated the average male height as 175cm (5ft 9in) and the average female height as 162cm (5ft 4in). They assessed the risk of 23 cancers. For women, the greatest increase in risk was for cancers of the thyroid, skin, lymphoma, colon, ovary, breast and womb.

For men, it was cancers of the thyroid, skin, lymphoma, colon, kidney, biliary tract, and central nervous system. Being taller did not increase the risk of oesophageal, stomach, mouth or cervical cancer in women, while in men it did not increase stomach cancer risk.

Professor Leonard Nunney of the research team said, "It is possible that the IGF-1 level in adults has a direct effect on cancer risk via an increase in the rate of cell division."

Share for tall people

Like for short people.

nurex01:
Share for tall people

Like for short people.

Quote if you're neither tall or short.

KrystosCJ:


Quote if you're neither tall or short.

How’s that possible?

TALL PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS LAZY.

4601CE:

How’s that possible?

If you're within the range of the average height of 175cm (for males) or 162cm (for females) then you're neither tall nor short.

Just average.