The size of a man’s waistband is a better predictor of cancer risk than traditional body mass index measurements, research has found. For decades, doctors have relied on BMI scores to diagnose obesity and the subsequent increased risk of cancer.

Waist circumference (WC) is a stronger risk marker than BMI for developing obesity-related cancers in men, but not women, says a new study. BMI is a measure of body size, but does not provide information on fat distribution, whereas waist circumference is a proxy more closely related to abdominal adiposity.