Height may play role in cancer risk

July 23, 2009 The research in the American Journal of Epidemiology found, for me, every additional centimeter in height was associated with a 5 percent greater risk of developing any type of cancer, even after they had adjusted for socioeconomic status, age and other relevant factors.

For women, risk increased by 7 percent for every extra 5 centimeters in height.

Researchers found an association between height and colon cancer and thyroid cancer for men and women. Prostate, breast and ovarian cancer risk also climbed with height.

Scientists say there could be a likelihood of a common pathway that affects skeletal growth and cancer risk across these populations.