Obesity Factor Ups Bone-marrow Cancer Risk

Researchers have uncovered additional evidence to supporthow obesity may increase a woman's risk of developing multiplemyeloma. The results of earlier studies looking into the possiblelink between excess weight and the disease were inconsistent,reported researchers in Epidemiology (September 2005).

The current study looked at several characteristics to examinethe relationship between the bone-marrow cancer and obesity.The characteristics included body mass index (BMI),weight alone, waist-to-hip ratio, and individual waist and hipmeasurements.

The findings were based on data for 37,083 postmenopausalwomen followed for 16 years. Women with a BMI of ≥30 were 1.5times more likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Theparticipants with the greatest weight, waist circumference, or hipcircumference had a doubled risk. No relationship was foundbetween waist-to-hip ratio and multiple myeloma risk.