
(Mainichi Shimbun, Aug. 21, 2004)
Thin Japanese men are almost three times more likely to contract cancer than those of average build, a shocking Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare study has showed.
Obesity has long been known as a cancer risk, but the ministry's 11-year study shows that thin men in particular are also in danger.
"Compared to Westerners, Japan has many thin people. Cancer prevention measures tend to aim at preventing obesity, but we think the greater risk in Japan is being thin," Manami Inoue of the National Cancer Center said.