Influence of height, weight and obesity on risk of breast cancer in an unselected Swedish population

Abstract

A number of recent studies have shown an association between breast-cancer risk and height, weight and dietary habits, especially fat consumption. In the present study, height and weight were determined for 179 consecutive, unselected, breast-cancer patients and age-matched controls selected from a computerized population register. Height and weight for these two groups were compared, including two different indices for overweight (Quetelet's index and Broca's index). Comparisons were repeated after subdivision into pre- and postmenopausal women. In all calculations, the mean values of patients and controls were very similar and without significant difference. It therefore seems improbable that increased height and weight or obesity constitute risk factors for breast cancer. Earlier studies may have shown differences as the result of selection mechanisms not present in this study.