People who are taller may have an increased risk of developing cancer, according to the largest study ever undertaken on the possible link between cancer and height.

Researchers in Sweden looked at 5.5 million men and women born between 1938 and 1991. Adult height ranged from 100cm (3.2 feet) to 225cm (7.3 feet).

The study found that for every 10cm of height, the risk of developing cancer increased by 11% in men and by 18% in women.

Taller women were found to have a 20% increased risk of developing breast cancer, while the risk of developing melanoma (skin cancer) rose by around 30% per 10cm of height in both men and women.

While previous studies have suggested that taller people may have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, this is the first study to examine the link in both men and women on such a large scale.

"To our knowledge, this is the largest study performed on linkage between height and cancer including both women and men," the researchers commented.

They now plan to look at whether height is linked to increased cancer mortality.

Our studies show that taller individuals are more likely to develop cancer but it is unclear so far if they also have a higher risk of dying from cancer or have an increased mortality overall," the researchers said.

Details of these findings were presented at the 54th Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in Barcelona.