Risk of thyroid cancer in relation to height, weight, and body mass index in Japanese individuals: a population‐based cohort study

Abstract

Greater height and body mass index (BMI) have been associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer incidence in Western countries. However, few epidemiological studies have assessed the association between anthropometric factors, such as BMI, height, or weight, and thyroid cancer incidence in Asian populations. Using the population‐based Japan Public Health Center‐based prospective study database, we investigated the relationship between anthropometric factors and thyroid cancer incidence. Data on anthropometric factors were collected through a self‐administered questionnaire at baseline. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model, and the exposure level was categorized into quintiles. A total of 49,062 men and 53,661 women enrolled between 1990 and 1994 were included in our analyses, and 191 cases (37 in men and 154 in women) of thyroid cancer were identified, with 1,695,702 person‐years of follow‐up until 2010. Compared with the male group with height ≤160 cm, HRs of the male groups with height 165–168 cm and ≥169 cm were 3.92 (95% CI; 1.33–11.55, P = 0.013) and 4.24 (95% CI; 1.32–13.61, P = 0.015), respectively, and the HR per 5‐cm increase in height was 1.12 (95% CI 1.06–1.18, P < 0.001). In contrast, the association between anthropometric features and the risk of thyroid cancer did not significantly differ among women. In this population, an increase in risk for increased height was observed in men, but no associations between anthropometric indexes and thyroid cancer risk were observed in women.

Increased Incidence of Thyroid Cancer among World Trade Center First Responders: A Descriptive Epidemiological Assessment

“…Increased BMI is also associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer [26] and 44.1% of WTCHP responders reported a BMI 25–29 km/m 2 , with an additional 44.1% reporting a BMI >30 km/m 2 . Neta et al reported 15.9% and 12% of the thyroid cancer cases having a BMI of 25–29, and ≥30 km/m 2 , respectively, which is lower than what was observed in the WTCHP cohort.…”

Cigarette Smoking and Estrogen-Related Cancer

“…Meta-analysis (55) makes clear that thyroid cancer risk is positively associated with BMI in women. Studies that have assessed this in older or post-menopausal women in particular are generally consistent with a modest in increase in risk (56)(57)(58)(59)(60)(61)(62). Case-control (63) and cohort analyses (58,(64)(65)(66) have not reported clear associations with unopposed menopausal estrogen therapy.…”

Obesity Is Associated withBRAFV600E-Mutated Thyroid Cancer

“…Several studies have examined the relationship between obesity (measured by body mass index [BMI]) and thyroid cancer risk. Most (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9), but not all (10,11), suggest that obesity is associated with increased thyroid cancer risk in both women and men. However, it is possible that the observed association does not reflect a biological relationship between obesity and thyroid cancer but instead could reflect more frequent use of health care services by people who are overweight or obese (12,13), with consequent increased opportunity for ascertainment of indolent thyroid lesions.…”