Bigger waist size increases men’s chance of deadly prostate cancer

EVERY four inches on a man’s waist increases the risk of fatal prostate cancer by almost a fifth, research by Oxford University has found.

The study of almost 150,000 men has established strong links between middle age spread and the most aggressive forms of the disease.

The 14-year study, which spanned eight countries, found that overall, an extra four inches on the waist was associated with a 13 per cent increased risk of prostate cancer – but an 18 per cent rise in fatal disease.

Prostate cancer is among several forms of the disease closely linked to obesity. But the study shows that weight on the waist – such as a typical beer belly – has a specific impact, sharply increasing the risk of the most common form of cancer in men. Re- searchers said a 37-inch waist meant an 18 per cent higher risk of fatal prostate cancer than was associated with a 33-inch waist.

A further four inches increased the risk by another 18 per cent.

Similar findings were found when body mass index was measured.

Experts said the findings could give doctors another “warning sign” to carry out

checks for the disease, which is often symptomless in the early stages.

Around 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 10,000 die from the disease annually in the UK.

The study, presented at the European Obesity Summit in Sweden, examined more than 141,000 men, with a mean age of 52. Fourteen years later, the group had more than 7,000 incidents of prostate cancer, 934 of which were fatal. The study focused on aggressive cancers.

Every five-point increase in BMI (weight in kilograms divided by height in metres-squared) increased the risk of aggressive disease by 10 per cent, with a 14 per cent higher risk of fatal prostate cancer. Dr Aurora Perez-Cornago, of Oxford University, the study’s author, said: “It is really important for health for men to try to maintain a healthy weight, this study shows a clear reason why.” She said extra weight on the waist appeared to have an impact on hormones which fuel prostate disease and affect the metabolism.

A Danish study at the same conference found fat children are more likely to develop bowel cancer in later life. The research found that those carrying an extra stone by the age of 13 were almost 10 per cent more likely to develop the disease.