Men who are overweight or have a large waistline have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, a study has found.
Researchers from the University of Oxford found that every 4inch (10cm) increase in waist circumference can increase a man’s chances of developing fatal prostate cancer by 18%.
Similarly, if a man has a high body mass index (BMI) the scientists found that the risk of being killed by a fatal strand of the disease also skyrockets.
The study examined more than 140,000 men across eight countries with a mean age of 52 years.
After 14 years, there were around 7,000 incidents of prostate cancer among participants, of which 934 were fatal.
The study also found that high-grade prostate cancer, an aggressive form of the disease, was heightened by obesity.
There was a 13% increase in the risk of developing it for every 4inch (10cm) of waistline gained.
According to PA, the study, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, 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.”
A spokesman for Prostate Cancer UK said: “Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can protect against many diseases, including cancer.
“This research adds to a growing body of evidence that shows that weight and waist size could be another crucial risk factor for men to be aware of when it comes to protecting themselves against prostate cancer.”