Abstract
Background
We studied the association between taking part in a long distance ski race and cancer
incidence to address the hypothesis that a lifestyle involving a high degree of physical
activity (PA) lowers cancer incidence with a pattern that is different by cancer site.
Methods
Cancer incidence was estimated in a large cohort of skiers (n = 185,412) participating in the Vasaloppet long distance ski race in Sweden 1989–2010
and non-participants in the ski race, randomly selected from the Swedish general population
(n = 184,617). Data include race finishing times as a measurement of physical fitness.
Hazard ratios (HRs) and net probability of cancer over twenty years of follow-up were
estimated for all invasive cancer, and separately for prostate, breast, colo-rectal
and lung cancer, and groups of cancers with presumed relation to lifestyle.
Findings
Participating in Vasaloppet was associated with a relative risk reduction for all
invasive cancer of 6% (95% confidence interval 2–9%) and a relative risk reduction
of 32% (95% confidence interval 28–37%) of cancer sites where there is epidemiological
evidence that smoking, bodyweight, regular PA and consumption of fruit and vegetables
are aetiological factors. For skin cancer the risk was increased, as for prostate
cancer. Skiers with shorter finishing times had lower incidence of cancer.
Interpretation
This study indicates that it is unrealistic to reduce overall population cancer incidence
drastically with life style. However, cancers that are epidemiologically associated
with life style factors were significantly reduced by what presumably is a blend of
non-smoking, normal body weight, sound dietary habits and PA. Our data thus provide
additional support for present days’ recommendations about life style prevention.
Higher health awareness is associated with attendance to screening, which may explain
our results for prostate cancer.
Funding
University fund, independent funds from an insurance company and a private foundation.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 07, 2015
Accepted:
December 11,
2014
Received in revised form:
December 1,
2014
Received:
October 22,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
