BEING tall significantly increases the risk of cancer, the biggest study looking into the link has shown.

Researchers analysed data on 5.5 million Swedish men and women with adult heights ranging between a diminutive 100 centimetres (3.3 ft) and lofty 225 centimetres (7.4 feet).

They found that for every extra 10 centimetres in height, the overall risk of developing cancer increased by 11per cent for men and 18per cent for women.

Taller women had a 20per cent greater risk of breast cancer than short women, while the chances of having melanoma skin cancer increased by around 30per cent per 10 centimetres of height in both sexes.

Previous studies have also pointed to a link between height and cancer, but the new study is the largest yet carried out.

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The findings were presented at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology meeting in Barcelona, Spain.