Shorter individuals twice as likely to develop esophageal cancer

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

According to a new study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, have found that taller individuals are less likely to develop Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer than shorter individuals.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 14 studies within the International Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium (BEACON). They found that those in the lowest quartile of height, or men under 5'7" and women under 5'2", were approximately twice as likely as those in the highest quartile of height, or men taller than 6' and women taller than 5'5", to have esophageal cancer or Barrett's esophagus.

Bases on analyses, results were consistent among various other factors, including age, body mass index, education, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, sex, and smoking. Researchers suggest that height may be able to be used as a risk factors to identify patients with a higher risk of developing Barrett's esophagus or esophageal cancer. Of note, the relationship between height and esophageal cancer observed in this study is the opposite of what has been observed in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers.