A recent research has found a link between a man’s height and prostate cancer. Researchers claim that height of a man can determine the increased risk for development of prostate cancer.

Researchers analyzed the data collected for the present study and reviewed 58 published studies. They concluded that a man’s height is a modest marker for risk of prostate cancer development, but is more strongly linked to progression of the cancer.

This study included more than 9,000 men with and without prostate cancer. The study subjects were asked to complete a medical questionnaire before being given their PSA results or cancer status. Questions included their height and leg measurements, weight, ethnicity, diet, lifestyle, other medical conditions and their early childhood environment

Analysis of data showed that the risk of developing the disease rises by about six percent for every 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) in height if a man is over the shortest group of men in the study.  It means a man who is one foot taller than the shortest person in the study would have a 19 percent increased risk of developing the disease. Researchers added that taller men shouldn’t panic due to this study.

Lead author Luisa Zuccolo, of the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Bristol said, “Compared to other risk factors, the magnitude of the additional risk of being taller is small, and we do not believe that it should interfere with preventive or clinical decisions in managing prostate cancer.”

He added that the result of this research is of great scientific interest. Little is known on the causes of prostate cancer and this association with height has opened up a new line of scientific inquiry.

This research was conducted by Luisa Zuccolo and colleagues from the University of Bristol, University of York, and the Hull York Medical School, University of Cambridge, and University of Sheffield and Royal Hallamshire Hospital.