▲ Research findings have emerged that differ from the results of previous research which found that tall, obese people of European descent have a higher risk of colon cancer (Photo = DB)
[메디컬투데이=조민규 기자] A study has emerged that contradicts previous research that finds tall, obese people of European descent have a higher risk of colon cancer.
The research findings were published in “Science Advances” and demonstrate that tall height is less associated with cancer risk than previously revealed.
According to previous studies, obesity and height are known to correlate with an increased risk of cancer, including colon cancer. For example, a study published in 2022 found that tall, abdominally obese people of European descent had a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
Researchers conducted a study dividing cohort participants into four groups based on body type defined by height and fat distribution. Based on body mass index, height, body weight, circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, participants were classified into group PC1, which was generally obese, group PC2, which was tall and had a uniformly distributed fat mass, and in the PC3 group; who was tall and had abdominal obesity and the control group, PC4, was divided
The study results showed that the risk of colon cancer in the PC1 group was 10% higher, and the risk of colon cancer in the PC3 group was 12% higher. They added that although the risk of cancer was increased in the other two groups, it was not statistically significant.
However, further analysis showed that an increased risk of colorectal cancer for these body types was also found in people of Caucasian, African, and Asian descent.
The researchers conducted further analysis including genomic data from 460,198 people obtained through the UK Biobank. The study found that people with genetic variants associated with the PC1 group had increased expression in the brain and pituitary tissue, while people with genetic variants associated with the PC3 group had increased expression in adipose tissue, breast, nerves and reproductive organs.
The researchers said this suggests that the biological process that determines body type is an evolutionarily conserved outcome and that it may be the result of a common ancestral group.
The researchers concluded that the correlation between tall height and cancer risk may be weaker than previously revealed.
[ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
#correlation #tall #height #cancer #risk #previous #studies #shown
