Aggressive Prostate Cancer Linked To A Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) And Waist Line
Maintaining a healthy weight has a host of health benefits which include: improvements in blood pressure, energy levels, physical mobility, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars. A new study funded by Cancer Research UK suggests that a higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.The study was conducted by researchers from the Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, UK.
Scientists examined more than 140,000 men across eight countries with a mean age of 52 years. After 14 years, 7,000 incidents of prostate cancer were identified, of which 934 were fatal. It also found that high-grade prostate cancer, an aggressive form of the illness, was exacerbated by obesity. There was a 13% increase in the risk of developing it for every 4in (10cm) of waistline gained. Data was collected from the men on various body measurements, mainly BMI and waist circumference, so the team could look into a possible association between body size and obesity and the risk of developing and dying from an aggressive form prostate cancer.
“The findings from this large prospective study show that the association between body size and prostate cancer is complex and varies by disease aggressiveness; men who have greater adiposity have an elevated risk of high-grade prostate cancer and prostate cancer death. Our results are in line with health advice for other non-communicable diseases. Men should try to maintain a healthy weight.”
–Cancer Research UK
In addition, researchers also found that a higher BMI and waist circumference also increased the risk of developing fatal prostate cancer, with a 14 per cent higher risk observed for every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI, and an 18 per cent increased risk for every 10 cm increase in waist circumference. The study’s author, Dr. Aurora Perez-Cornago, of Oxford University, said the disease is complex, and the findings show an increase in weight can affect hormones that can fuel the disease.
The authors concluded,
“The findings from this large prospective study show that the association between body size and prostate cancer is complex and varies by disease aggressiveness; men who have greater adiposity have an elevated risk of high grade prostate cancer and prostate cancer death. Our results are in line with health advice for other non-communicable diseases. Men should try to maintain a healthy weight.”
Researchers presented their findings at this year’s European Obesity Summit, which took place in Gothenburg from June 1st through the 4th.
