PO-089 The evidence on early growth and development and the risk of cancer by the WCRF/AICR continuous update project

Abstract

Introduction A baby’s size and shape at birth depends on how well they grow in the womb.Within the usual range,heavier and longer babies tend to become taller children and adults.A baby’s birthweight and an adult’s height both reflect a complex interplay of genetics,nutrition and other environmental factors that affect growth within the womb and during childhood and adolescence.While global cancer burden is constantly rising, there has been a growing research interest in the links between birthweight, adult attained height and cancer.This talk will present the latest global evidence from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Third Expert Report (2018) on height,birthweight and the risk of cancer and will suggest future research directions. Material and methods The Third Expert Report provides a comprehensive analysis,using the most meticulous of methods,of the worldwide body of evidence on preventing and surviving cancer through diet, nutrition and physical activity.Dose-response meta-analyses of cohort studies on height as well as on birthweight and the risk of cancer were conducted using the increment of 5 cm on height and 500 g on birthweight.The accumulated,global evidence was independently assessed by a panel of international scientists to draw conclusions about which factors increase or decrease the risk of developing cancer. Results and discussions The risk of several adult cancers varies with markers of aspects of growth and development in early life.While neither birthweight nor height is likely to affect the risk of cancer directly,there is strong evidence that developmental factors leading to greater growth in length in childhood (marked by adult attained height) increase the risk of pancreas,colorectum,breast(pre and postmenopausal), ovary,endometrium,prostate, kidney and skin (malignant melanoma).For example,the RR (95% CI) per 5 cm increase in height is 1.07 (1.03–1.12),1.08 (1.05–1.10)and 1.10 (1.08–1.12) for pancreas,ovary and kidney cancer respectively.Additionally,factors that lead to a greater birthweight increase the risk of premenopausal breast cancer [RR (95% CI)=1.05 (1.02–1.09),based upon 16 studies, n>3135]. Conclusion As evidence accrues,it is clear that nutritional factors are key determinants of patterns of growth from preconception to completion of growth affecting the susceptibility to cancer later in life.Further research is needed to determine the precise mechanisms through which factors may influence growth and development and their relation to cancer risk.