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Tall
Men Over 50 Have Increased Risk of Prostate Cancer
Feb.
24, 2003 - Greater
height appeared to be positively associated with subsequent risk of
prostate cancer in men over age 50, according to a study presented at
the national meeting of the American College of Preventive Medicine
Meeting in San Diego.
Michael
Gaziano, M.D., Chief of the Division of Aging at Brigham and Women's
Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Boston,
Massachusetts, together with six associates, investigated three
categories of height (less than 70 inches, 70 to 71 inches, and 72
inches or taller), plus age (less than 50 years, 50 to 59 years, and
60 years and over), to the risk of prostate cancer.
The
investigators used data reported by 1,634 men suffering from prostate
cancer who had been enrolled in the Physicians Health Study over a
14-year follow-up period. (The Physicians Health Study was a
randomized, placebo-controlled trial of aspirin and beta-carotene in
22,071 U.S. men.)
For the
study, the researchers examined the effect of age on the relationship
of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) to prostate cancer risk.
However, they found no relationship of weight and BMI to prostate
cancer in this population.
"Increasing height appeared to be a risk factor for prostate cancer
over age 50," said Dr. Gaziano. "Statistically significant risk
estimates suggest that in older age groups the relationship between
height and prostate cancer increases. However, those less than age 50
have no statistically risk of prostate cancer with increasing height."
For men
over 72 inches in height and over age 50, there was a 32 percent
greater risk of prostate cancer. Over 72 inches in height and over age
60, men faced a 24 percent greater risk.
Dr.
Gaziano called the study's findings "preliminary" and said that more
research would provide a clearer picture of these relationships.
American College
of Preventive Medicine
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