Women whose skirt size increased several sizes in midlife could be more susceptible to breast cancer, said a study by the University College London.

The study suggests women that saw their skirt size rise every decade after their mid-20s have a 33 percent greater risk of breast cancer after menopause.

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It recommends that women watch their skirt size from their mid-20s onwards as a simple way to track weight gain. It's been long known that obesity -- especially midriff fat -- is a risk factor for cancer.

The study involved more than 90,000 women in their 50s and 60s living in England. Some 1,090 women developed breast cancer during the three-year follow-up period.

Researchers found that a unit increase in UK skirt size every 10 years between 25 years old and post-menopausal age was linked to a 33 percent increased risk of breast cancer.

Moving up two skirt sizes in the same period was associated with a 77 percent greater risk.

"If skirt size could be confirmed by others as a good predictor of breast cancer risk in older women, this would be a very simple and easy way to monitor weight gain," said Prof. Usha Menon of the Department of Women's Cancer, who led the study.

Researchers, however, said their study had some limitations; it depended on women being able to accurately recall their skirt size in their 20s, for example.

If the findings are validated, it could give women a simple and effective indicator about the risks of obesity.

Monitoring skirt sizes is an easy way to determine a woman's weight gain over time. Women are more likely to remember their skirt size when they were younger than their BMI or body mass index.

Doctors say that 40 percent of breast cancers might be prevented by lifestyle changes such as doing regular exercises and maintaining a healthy weight.

Medical evidence says the most important things a woman can do to reduce her breast cancer risk, especially after menopause, is to maintain a healthy weight, be physically active as often as possible and cut down on alcohol,

Knowing if you're overweight is more important, however.