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Body size and composition and prostate cancer risk
Robert J MacInnis1, Dallas R English, Dorota M Gertig
1Cancer Epidemiology Centre, The Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Summary
Obesity and increased fat mass are linked to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, but not overall prostate cancer. Energy imbalance may contribute to aggressive disease development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Previous studies show weak, inconsistent links between body measurements and prostate cancer risk.
- Some body measurements do not distinguish between adipose and non-adipose tissue, potentially confounding results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body composition and prostate cancer risk, differentiating between aggressive and non-aggressive forms.
- To explore the role of adiposity and lean body mass in prostate cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 16,336 men aged 27-75.
- Body composition (adipose and non-adipose mass) assessed using bioelectric impedance analysis.
- Prostate cancer incidence and aggressiveness ascertained via population cancer registry.
Main Results:
- No overall association found between anthropometric measurements and prostate cancer risk.
- Measures of adiposity showed modest associations with the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
- Obesity (BMI) increased risk 2.2-fold; each 10kg fat mass increase raised risk 1.4-fold.
Conclusions:
- Adiposity, particularly obesity and increased fat mass, is associated with a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
- Energy imbalance may be a factor in the development of aggressive prostate cancer.
- Future research should focus on body composition rather than general anthropometrics for prostate cancer risk assessment.