Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Geezer on 28/10/2010 08:00:21

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Geezer on 28/10/2010 08:00:21

I heard something about a study that showed men are 17% more likely to develop testicular cancer if they are taller than 5 foot 10 inches.

Why would that be?

(BTW - Geezer is 6 feet tall and did develop the aforementioned condition 25 years ago. Not to worry though. Nature had the foresight to provide a redundant system.)

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: peppercorn on 28/10/2010 09:41:18

Maybe it's nature's way of stopping taller men procreating too much, as they already have the advantage of height to attract a mate!
        Not that I of 5'8" have an issue or anything *Le sigh*

[Don't mention Hitler's apendages or lack of, either!]

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: RD on 28/10/2010 16:15:13

Quote

taller men and women had an elevated risk of selected malignancies.

taller individuals experienced increased rates of carcinoma of the intestine (men and women); all cancers, liver, lung, breast, ‘other’ malignancies (all women); and cancers of the prostate and bladder (men).

http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2009/11/04/annonc.mdp363.abstract

More cell division has occurred to create a bigger (taller) than average person : tall and average persons both started from one cell. The greater the number of cell divisions the greater the chance an error is made in the DNA sequence which can cause cancer.

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Geezer on 28/10/2010 17:57:59

Thanks RD. I think they mentioned that reduced testosterone levels might have something to do with it, although I suspect Mrs G might dispute that.

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Bill S on 28/10/2010 18:53:03

Quote

I think they mentioned that reduced testosterone levels might have something to do with it, although I suspect Mrs G might dispute that.

Too much information [:o]

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Variola on 28/10/2010 19:40:38

Tall men ( particularly of slimmer build) are more prone to pneumothorax too.

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Geezer on 29/10/2010 05:59:46

Quote from: Variola on 28/10/2010 19:40:38

Tall men ( particularly of slimmer build) are more prone to pneumothorax too.

Blinking heck! There must be some upside other than just being obviously suwavy and deboner.

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Variola on 29/10/2010 09:19:32

IS a deboner something to do with erectile dysfunction?  [;)]

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Don_1 on 29/10/2010 09:25:36

Does all this mean I am in the clear, being a short-arse fat git?

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Variola on 30/10/2010 10:17:51

Quote

Does all this mean I am in the clear, being a short-arse fat git?
 

I thought that was Peppercorn??  [;D]

<<< hides!

I am sure if we tried we could find some deathly disease link to a tortoise-loving vertically challenged rotund phenotype.  [;)]

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: prism on 30/10/2010 15:15:36

I have another theory why being tall is linked to testicular cancer.
"Giantism" is caused by pituitary gland tumours.

Its possible that many other tall people have over-worked pituitary glands too ..(which would explain why they are tall!)
An over-worked pituitary gland would disrupt the endocrine system and risk testicular cancer, since testosterone comes from the testicles.

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: peppercorn on 30/10/2010 16:43:37

Quote from: Variola on 30/10/2010 10:17:51

Quote

Does all this mean I am in the clear, being a short-arse fat git?

I thought that was Peppercorn??  [;D]

<<< hides!

[>:(]  W-h-a-t !! [>:(]

>looks around<

"who said that!" [>:(]

make that just: 'a short-arse  fat git' [:D]

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Variola on 30/10/2010 16:53:08

Quote from: peppercorn on 30/10/2010 16:43:37

Quote from: Variola on 30/10/2010 10:17:51

Quote

Does all this mean I am in the clear, being a short-arse fat git?

I thought that was Peppercorn??  [;D]

<<< hides!

[>:(]  W-h-a-t !! [>:(]

>looks around<

"who said that!" [>:(]

make that just: 'a short-arse  fat git' [:D]

[;D]

I am just a short arse-fat woman...

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: peppercorn on 30/10/2010 17:08:16

Quote from: Variola on 30/10/2010 16:53:08

I am just a short arse-fat woman...

I thought that was Don_1, ... er... no... hang on [???]

        [only at the weekends, I've heard]

[;D]

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Don_1 on 30/10/2010 17:44:04

Quote from: peppercorn on 30/10/2010 17:08:16

Quote from: Variola on 30/10/2010 16:53:08

I am just a short arse-fat woman...

I thought that was Don_1, ... er... no... hang on [???]

        [only at the weekends, I've heard]

[;D]

AH! So its you with those damn binoculars is it?!?!?!

Title: Can height be a disadvantage?
Post by: Don_1 on 30/10/2010 17:46:19

Quote from: Variola on 30/10/2010 10:17:51

........ a tortoise-loving vertically challenged rotund phenotype.  [;)]

Strewth! I've been called some names, but none as long as that. Mostly, they tend to consist of just 4 letters!