Waist fat ups cancer risk

CARRYING excess fat around the waist increases the risk of bowel cancer even if the rest of the body is slim, experts said.

For every extra inch on the waist above a healthy measurement, the risk of bowel cancer goes up 3%, a study found.

Experts concluded a big waist circumference is a predictor of bowel cancer regardless of overall body mass index (BMI).

The research, from experts at Imperial College London and the University of Leeds, will be presented at an international cancer conference today.

It focuses on a review of seven papers which found tummy fat is a predictor for bowel cancer.

The review provides the strongest evidence so far that the link remains true.