Most studies and general societal perception suggest that being taller is better. Past research has found that taller people tend to earn more money, and taller men tend to be more reproductively successful. A recent Swedish study has found at least one area, however, where tall people get the short end of the stick. Researchers found that taller people are far more likely to suffer from cancer.
The link between increased height and increased risks of suffering from cancer appears to be quite substantial. For every 4 inches gained in height, women are 18 percent and men are 11 percent more likely to suffer from cancer. For certain types of cancer, the risks are even higher. For example, taller women are 20 percent more likely to suffer from breast cancer, while taller members of both genders are 30 percent more likely to suffer from malignant melanoma (skin cancer).
Scientists came to this conclusion after investigating the medical records kept on some 5.5 million Swedes between 1938 and 1991. Using the country’s national passport register, researchers were able to determine people’s heights. With the data in hand, researchers look at everyone’s medical record from the time they turned 20 until 2011.
The results echo similar findings from earlier studies. Researchers in the United Kingdom conducted a “million women study,” examining middle aged women who were not suffering from cancer. Researchers kept track of the women over the years and monitored their rate of cancer affliction. They found a strong link between increased height and increased cancer risk. In the UK study, those women who stood over 5ft 9in were 37 percent more likely to develop a malignant tumor.
While at first the link might seem puzzling, there are several logical theories that could explain why taller people are more prone to suffering from cancer. Cancer refers to the out-of-control growth of cells, which can potentially cause tumors and other complications. Taller people, generally being larger, will have more cells in their body. This larger pool of cells increases the likelihood that some of the cells will go haywire and grow out of control.
Further, taller people tend to produce higher amounts of growth hormone. Growth hormones have already been linked to an increased incidence of cancer among mice. Given that these hormones work by encouraging cell growth and prohibiting cell death, they could be setting the stage for cells to turn cancerous.
Not only that, but several studies have linked food to cancer. Red meats, for example, have been linked to bowel cancer, and acrylamide, a chemical found in baked bread, has also been linked to cancer. Put it all together, and the link between cancer and height starts to make sense.
