The risk of breast cancer is directly proportional to the excess fat in the waist area

According to the researchers, each increase of 0.1 units in the ratio between waist and hip increases the risk of breast cancer and a range of other diseases by 21%.

Waist and hip ratio is calculated by dividing waist circumference for hip circumference. Example: People with 71cm waist and hip 102cm have a ratio of 0.7.

A woman from 0.7 to 0.8 will have a 21% higher risk of uterine cancer. For people in the above example, this would be equivalent to a 10cm increase in the waist area.

If the ratio between waist and hip is over 0.85 for women or 0.90 for men, that is a sign of obesity.

The ratio between waist and hip above 0.90 is a sign of obesity in men.(Photo: Internet).

Experts from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) said the results of the project showed a close association between cancer risk and excess fat around the waist area.

The WCRF estimates, every year, about 25,000 cancers can be prevented in the UK if people maintain their normal weight.

Professor Konstantinos Tsilidis, working at the Royal College of London, said: "These results show the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for women to reduce the risk of cancer. ".

The amount of excess fat in the waist is closely related to the risk of cancer.(Photo: Getty).

Dr. Panagiota Mitrou, research funding manager at WCRF, said: "We know that excess fat around the waist increases the risk of a range of diseases, such as diabetes, but important research This is helping us to clarify the effect of excess fat around the waist on the risk of cancer. "

"It is very important that everyone is aware of the dangers of excess fat, especially in the waist area. Giving up smoking, maintaining a healthy and stable body weight are good things. Most people can do it to prevent and reduce the risk of cancer. "

The study also found associations between waist and hip ratio to bowel and pancreatic cancer, although these symptoms are unclear.