Cancer Council research shows that a waistline of around 100cm for men, and 85cm for women, significantly increases the risk of some cancers. The strongest associations were for:
Moderate associations were found for:
For men with a waistline over 100cm, risk increased by 72% for colon cancer and 43% for aggressive prostate cancer.
For women with a waistline over 85cm, risk increases by 22% for breast cancer and 33% for colon cancer.
COMPARE YOUR RISK, BASED ON YOUR WAISTLINE:
Female relative risks compared with waist less than 80 cm
|
|
Waist circumference (cm) |
||||
|
Cancer types |
85 |
90 |
95 |
100 |
105 |
|
Postmenopausal breast cancer |
17% |
25% |
32% |
41% |
50% |
|
Colon cancer |
19% |
27% |
35% |
44% |
54% |
|
Kidney cancer |
23% |
33% |
43% |
55% |
68% |
|
Endometrial cancer |
36% |
54% |
73% |
95% |
120% |
|
Lower oesophagus/gastric cardia |
64% |
98% |
139% |
189% |
249% |
|
|
Waist circumference (cm) |
|||
|
Cancer types |
95 |
100 |
105 |
110 |
|
Colon cancer |
3% |
21% |
41% |
65% |
|
Aggressive prostate cancer |
3% |
17% |
32% |
50% |
|
Kidney cancer |
2% |
10% |
19% |
29% |
|
Lower oesophagus/gastric cardia |
4% |
25% |
52% |
83% |
The risk of being diagnosed with cancer as compared to another group's risk (e.g. a non-smoker's risk of getting lung cancer as compared to a smoker's risk of getting lung cancer).
|
WAIST LESS THAN 80 cm |
WAIST ABOVE 85 cm |
|
If your waist measurement is less than 80 cm, you are in the 'safe zone' for obesity-related cancer risk. |
If your waist measurement is above 85 cm, then you have a moderately increased risk of the following cancers:
If your waist measurement is above 85 cm, then you have a significantly increased risk of the following:
|
|
WAIST LESS THAN 94 cm |
WAIST ABOVE 100 cm |
|
If your waist measurement is less than 94 cm, you are in the 'safe zone'. |
If your waist measurement is above 100 cm then you have a moderately increased risk of:
If your waist measure is above 100 cm, then you have a significantly increased risk of:
|
Safe zone: Your waist measurement doesn't increase your risk of the cancers identified in our research.
Advice: Maintain your healthy eating and active lifestyle habits to ensure you don't increase your risk.
Significantly increased risk: This means that you are at increased risk of some types of cancer, as identified in the Cancer Council research.
Advice: Check to make sure that you're eating a well-balanced diet and/or getting enough exercise. Keep an eye on your eating habits; minimise your intake of fatty, fried and processed foods and sugary drinks such as soft drinks. See how you can increase your levels of physical activity, and speak to your doctor about getting some professional advice or referral to medical specialists who can help, such as dietitians.
