Adolescent BMI and cancer risk
Okasha, M.; Davey, S.G.; McCarron, P.; McEwen, J.
IARC Scientific Publications 156: 263-265
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5038 PMID: 12484184 Document Number: 547365
To determine the relationship between overweight in early adult life and subsequent cancer risk, records (cancer registrations and deaths) of students who attended annual health check-ups between 1948 and 1968 at the University of Glasgow, UK (Glasgow Alumni Cohort) were prospectively analysed. Self-reported cancers and mortality until September 2001, and cancer registrations until December 1998 were determined. A total of 9199 men and 2528 women were studied. The average age at weight measurement was 20.3 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 21.6 and 21.3 kg/m2 in men and women, respectively. Seven percent of males and females were overweight (n=811). There were 886 cancers identified, and the most frequent site-specific cancers were those of the prostate (n=125), breast (n=113), lung (n=82 men), haematopoietic system (n=67 men) and colorectum (n=111 men). There was no association between BMI category and all cancers in men. The age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for lean, high normal and overweight individuals compared to normal individuals were 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77-1.32), 0.92 (95% CI, 0.73-1.15) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.72-1.31), respectively. The risk among lean women was reduced compared to normal weight women (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.91). High normal and overweight women were not at increased risk of all cancers compared to normal weight women (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.56-1.25, and OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.54-1.59, respectively). A trend of lower risk of lung cancer in heavier men was observed. This was unchanged when controlled for smoking behaviour, but the association was reversed when only non-smokers were considered. Lean men were at risk of haematopoietic cancer compared to normal weight men. There was no association between BMI and prostate, breast or male colorectal cancers.