Tall people are at greater risk of being diagnosed with cancer, with the chance increasing 30 per cent with every extra four inches of height

Tall people are at greater risk of getting cancer, according to a new study.

Being just four inches taller than average could increase the chance of some cancers by up to 30 per cent, say researchers.

For each extra 10cm (3.9in), a women’s overall risk of cancer increased by 18 per cent, the scientists found.

For men, it was 11 per cent.

The study, conducted by Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and thought to be the biggest of its kind, looked at data from 5.5 million Swedish men and women born between 1938 and 1991.

Skin cancer is most strongly linked to height, with the risk increasing by 30 per cent for each extra 10cm.

For breast cancer, each extra 10cm increased the risk by 20 per cent.

For example, a woman of average height in Sweden – 170cm (5ft 6in) – has a 10 per cent chance of getting breast cancer, meaning that one in 10 will get the disease.

Every 10cm above average height increased the risk by 20 per cent, putting a woman 10cm taller than average at a 12 per cent risk of developing the disease.

The average male height in Sweden is 5ft 10.8in, 180cm, slightly taller than the average Briton at 5ft 9in. The average height of a British woman is 5ft 5in (164cm).

Dr Emelie Benyi, who led the study, said: 'Our studies show that taller individuals are more likely to develop cancer but it is unclear so far if they also have a higher risk of dying from cancer or have an increased mortality overall.'

It is not known why taller people are more prone to cancer.

One theory is that they are exposed to higher levels of growth hormones during childhood and adolescence, which could increase the chances of cancer cells developing.

Another is that taller people simply have a larger number of cells in their bodies which could potentially transform into cancer.

A third possible explanation is that taller individuals have a higher calorie intake, which has also previously been linked to cancer.

Critics point out that height is just one factor – and one the individual can do little about – unlike, for instance, limiting sun exposure or wearing sunscreen to prevent skin cancer.

Professor Mel Greaves, director of the Centre of Evolution and Cancer at the Institute of Cancer Research, which was not involved in the study, said: ‘We know that, in humans, growth hormone... stimulates cell growth in general and blocks cell death.

Skin cancer is most strongly linked to height, with the risk increasing by 30 per cent for each extra 10cm. For breast cancer, pictured under the microscope, each extra 10cm increased the risk by 20 per cent

'So the level of growth hormone someone has could affect cancer risk by pushing up cell numbers.

‘Of course for cancers like breast and skin cancer there are factors that have a much greater effect on risk, like family history, reproductive patterns and obesity, so tall people shouldn’t worry that they are destined to get cancer.’

Dr Jane Green, a clinical epidemiologist at Oxford University added: ‘To put risk associated with a non-modifiable factor like height in context, it is worth noting that taller people have lower risks for heart disease, and a lower risk of death overall.’

Dr Benyi said the study marks the largest performed to date looking at links between height and cancer in men and women.

'It should be emphasised that our results reflect cancer incidence on a population level,' said Dr Benyi.