Study Finds That Taller People Have A Higher Risk Of Cancer
The general consensus is that being tall has its perks. Extra height means more advantages in sports, being more attractive to would-be lovers, and simply making it possible to reach a kitchen’s highest shelves. That’s not to say that there aren’t disadvantages, but few of them are as marked as this one — namely, that taller people have a higher chance of developing cancer.
Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm presented the evidence after tracking Swedish subjects for over fifty years. Their findings paint a grim picture: men at least four inches taller than average had their chances increase by 11%, while women in the same category boosted their chances by 18%. Specifically, that meant a 20% greater risk for breast cancer in the latter, and a 30% higher risk of skin cancer for both genders.
While the researchers acknowledged that multiple factors can contribute to cancer, they have reason to believe that taller people are bigger targets. Extra height means extra cells in the body, which means that the probability of cells going awry climbs higher. Luckily, there are preventive measures; whether a person is tall or short, eating healthy, staying active, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can keep cancer in check.
