Tall people at higher risk of cancer

Another study also found that 22 out of 23 cancers were more common in taller individuals than in shorter ones.

People who are tall have a slightly higher risk of developing cancer. A report by the World Cancer Research Fund suggested that there's strong evidence taller people can develop cancer of the pancreas, large bowel, uterus (endometrium), ovary, prostate, kidney, skin (melanoma) and breast (pre and post menopausal).

A study discovered that for 15 out of the 17 cancers they examined, taller people had a higher likelihood of developing them.

Specifically, they found that each 10-centimetre increase in height raised the risk of cancer by about 16%, with similar results observed in men.

To put this into context, if around 45 out of every 10,000 women of average height (about 165 centimetres) develop cancer annually, then approximately 52 out of every 10,000 women who are 175 centimetres tall would be affected, a difference of only seven additional cases.

This represents a relatively small increase in risk.

Another study also found that 22 out of 23 cancers were more common in taller individuals than in shorter ones.