Jamaican Men with Bigger Waistlines Have an Increase Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer

Having larger waistlines increase the risk of developing prostate cancer in Jamiacan men, say researchers from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.

In a study of 518 men, 243 of whom were newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer, Maria Jackson MD and collegues collected data from the study particpants on medical and lifestyle factors and found that compared with men in the normal range of waist-hip ratio (WHR), men with higer abdominal obesity were are greater risk of developing prostate cancer.

Furthermore, even with additional control for body mass index (BMI), the association with WHR remained signifiant for total prostate cancer.

"Abdominal obesity may be associated with risk of high-grade prostate cancer," the authors wrote. "The results further highlight the importance of investigating relationships by characteristing of the tumor."

The study's findings were published in February 2010 issue of the journal Cancer Causes & Control.