Abstract 642: Body fat distribution and prostate cancer risk: A UK case-control study

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among males in the UK and in 2007 accounted for almost a quarter of all male cancers diagnosed. Previous studies have shown some associations between body size/obesity and prostate cancer risk. However body fat distribution in terms of perceived “body shape” and its association with prostate cancer risk has never been described. Methods: In the UK data from 1343 cases and 817 controls with age ranged between 38 and 85, with mean age 62.4 (SD 6.2) were collected between 2007 -2009 as part of the UKGPCS Prostate Cancer Study. The data on subjects’ body fat distribution type including “apple” (body fat mostly around the waist and upper trunk), “pear” (body fat around hips), “oval” (body fat generalised on whole body) and “symmetrical” were obtained through self report diagrams in questionnaires after consent from the subjects. Unconditional logistic regression analysis, with adjustment for age, education, ethnic, family history and lifetime body shape size as potential confounders, were carried out to obtain odds ratios and confidence intervals for different types of body fat distribution to assess their possible association with risk of prostate cancer. Results: A “symmetrical” body shape was used as the reference category. Subjects with an “apple” shape were at a significantly 30% reduced risk (adjusted OR 0.70 with 95% CI: 0.55-0.89). Subjects with an “oval” or “pear” shapes did not show any statistically significant association. Conclusion: An “apple” body fat distribution was associated with reduced prostate cancer risk when compared to symmetrical shape. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 642. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-642