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Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 8/2012

01-08-2012 | Review article

Height and pancreatic cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Authors: Dagfinn Aune, Ana Rita Vieira, Doris Sau Man Chan, Deborah A. Navarro Rosenblatt, Rui Vieira, Darren C. Greenwood, Janet E. Cade, Victoria J. Burley, Teresa Norat

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 8/2012

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Abstract

Background

Greater height has been associated with increased risk of several cancers, but epidemiological data on height and pancreatic cancer are inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies to clarify these results.

Methods

PubMed and several other databases were searched up to September 2011. Prospective studies of height and pancreatic cancer were included. Summary relative risks were estimated by the use of a random effects model.

Results

We identified twelve cohort studies that were included in the meta-analysis. The summary RR per 5-cm increase in height was 1.07 (95 % CI: 1.03–1.12, I 2 = 57 %). The results were similar among men and women. The summary estimate was attenuated when we included results from two pooled analyses together with these studies, summary RR = 1.03 (95 % CI: 1.00–1.07, I 2 = 44 %).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis of cohort studies provides further evidence that greater adult attained height is associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk. However, given the unexplained heterogeneity, further studies are needed before a conclusion can be drawn.
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Metadata
Title
Height and pancreatic cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors
Dagfinn Aune
Ana Rita Vieira
Doris Sau Man Chan
Deborah A. Navarro Rosenblatt
Rui Vieira
Darren C. Greenwood
Janet E. Cade
Victoria J. Burley
Teresa Norat
Publication date
01-08-2012
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 8/2012
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-012-9983-0

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