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Applying Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention

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Epidemiologic Studies in Cancer Prevention and Screening

Part of the book series: Statistics for Biology and Health ((SBH,volume 79))

Abstract

Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle risk factor associated with a decreased risk of several cancer sites. Sedentary behavior is emerging as a risk factor for cancer that should be considered independently from physical activity. We systematically reviewed the observational epidemiological literature on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and risk for colon, breast, endometrial, ovarian, lung, and prostate cancers. We present the hypothesized biologic mechanisms whereby physical activity and sedentary behavior may influence the risk of these cancers. Finally, we provide an overview of the public health implications for physical activity in cancer prevention. Strong and consistent evidence exists that physical activity reduces the risk of colon and breast cancers and possibly also of endometrial cancer. The evidence is weaker and less consistent for lung, prostate, and ovarian cancers and currently insufficient for all other cancer sites. There is some evidence that sedentary behavior increases the risk of colon, endometrial, and ovarian cancers and insufficient evidence for other cancer sites. The main biologic mechanisms that are likely operative between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cancer risk are adiposity, endogenous sex hormones, inflammation, and insulin resistance. There is considerable public health benefit to be gained through increased physical activity and decreased sedentary behavior, but efforts to date have not met this potential. A coordinated approach at multiple jurisdictional levels is needed to achieve significant decreases in cancer incidence at a population level.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Friedenreich was supported by an Alberta Innovates-Health Solutions (AI-HS) Senior Health Scholar Award and Dr Lynch by Postdoctoral Fellowship awards from the National Health Medical Research Council and AI-HS while writing this chapter. The figures were prepared by Qinggang Wang.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population Health Research, Alberta Health Services - Cancer Care, 1331 29 St NW, Calgary, AB, CANADA, T2N 4 N2

    Christine M. Friedenreich PhD, Brigid M. Lynch PhD & Annie Langley MSc

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  1. Christine M. Friedenreich PhD
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  2. Brigid M. Lynch PhD
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Correspondence to Christine M. Friedenreich PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Toronto, 392 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, L6J 1J8, Ontario, Canada

    Anthony B. Miller

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Friedenreich, C.M., Lynch, B.M., Langley, A. (2013). Applying Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention. In: Miller, A. (eds) Epidemiologic Studies in Cancer Prevention and Screening. Statistics for Biology and Health, vol 79. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5586-8_6

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