Research
Hormonal
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is strongly associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
For endometrial cancer risk, where you carry weight is as important as how much you weigh. A higher waist-to-hip ratio is strongly linked to a 21% increased risk for each 0.1 increase. Focus on reducing central adiposity through diet and exercise, not just overall weight loss.
WeakSupportsHIGH confidence
Weight gain and waist to hip circumference ratio were associated with higher risks of postmenopausal breast cancer in women who have never used hormone replacement therapy and endometrial cancer, respectively.
Why this rating
Classified as 'strong evidence' based on the study's rigorous criteria.
Source
Adiposity and cancer at major anatomical sites: umbrella review of the literature
Maria Kyrgiou et al. · BMJ · 2017
DOI 10.1136/bmj.j477
Meta-analysis · 204 studiesCited 826×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Increased body mass index (BMI) is strongly associated with a higher risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma, colon and rectal cancer in men, biliary tract system cancer, pancreatic cancer, endometrial cancer (premenopausal), kidney cancer, and multiple myeloma.Weak
- Weight gain in adulthood is strongly associated with an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in women who have never used hormone replacement therapy (HRT).Weak
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