Taller people are more likely to develop cancer than their shorter peers, according to a major study that links between height and the disease.
Experts found the danger increases with every extra 3.9in in height.
Experts discovered the risk increases with every 10cm (3.9in) extra height in both men and women. The Swedish researchers have not been able to find out why but it is believed growth hormones may provide the explanation.
According to the experts, taller people have more cells, which can mutate and become tumors. The growth hormones can increase the rate of cell division and turnover – also raising the risk of cancer.
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute and the University of Stockholm tested 5.5 million people between 1958 and 2011 in the largest study performed on the link between height and cancer.
The adults were between 100cm to 225cm tall, approximately 3ft 3in to 7ft 4in.
The researchers found that for every 10cm of height, the risk of developing cancer increased by 18% in women and 11% in men.
Assessing the impact of height on developing different forms of cancer, they found the increased risk was highest in skin cancer, rising 30% for every 10cm in height. They observed a 20% increase in the risk of taller women getting breast cancer.
