Association of adherence to lifestyle recommendations and risk of colorectal cancer: a prospective Danish cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between a simple lifestyle index based on the recommendations for five lifestyle factors and the incidence of colorectal cancer, and to estimate the proportion of colorectal cancer cases attributable to lack of adherence to the recommendations.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
General population of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark.


METHODS
55 487 men and women aged 50-64 years at baseline (1993-7), not previously diagnosed with cancer.


METHODS
Risk of colorectal cancer in relation to points achieved in the lifestyle index (based on physical activity, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol intake, and diet (dietary fibre, energy percentage from fat, red and processed meat, and fruits and vegetables)) modelled through Cox regression.


RESULTS
During a median follow-up of 9.9 years, 678 men and women had colorectal cancer diagnosed. After adjustment for potential confounders, each additional point achieved on the lifestyle index, corresponding to one additional recommendation that was met, was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer (incidence rate ratio 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.82 to 0.96). In this population an estimated total of 13% (95% CI 4% to 22%) of the colorectal cancer cases were attributable to lack of adherence to merely one additional recommendation among all participants except the healthiest. If all participants had followed the five recommendations 23% (9% to 37%) of the colorectal cancer cases might have been prevented. Results were similar for colon and rectal cancer, but only statistically significant for colon cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to the recommendations for physical activity, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol intake, and diet may reduce colorectal cancer risk considerably, and in this population 23% of the cases might be attributable to lack of adherence to the five lifestyle recommendations. The simple structure of the lifestyle index facilitates its use in public health practice.
Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. helene.kirkegaard@webspeed.dk
Helene
H
Kirkegaard
Nina Føns
NF
Johnsen
Jane
J
Christensen
Kirsten
K
Frederiksen
Kim
K
Overvad
Anne
A
Tjønneland
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D055105:Waist Circumference