Physical activity and risk of pancreatic cancer in a central European multicenter case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
Findings from epidemiological studies examining physical activity in relation to pancreatic cancer risk have suggested decreased risks for physical activity; however, the results are inconsistent.


METHODS
The association between occupational and leisure-time physical activity and risk of pancreatic cancer was examined among 826 pancreatic cancer cases and 930 age-, sex- and center-matched controls from a large multicenter central European study in Czech Republic and Slovakia recruited between 2004 and 2012. Data on physical activity including type and dose (frequency, intensity, and duration) were examined using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Occupational physical activity was not significantly associated with risk of pancreatic cancer [odds ratio (OR) 0.90, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.71-1.15]. A 35 % decrease in risk of pancreatic cancer was observed for regular leisure-time physical activity (OR 0.65, 95 % CI 0.52-0.87). The risk estimates were significant for low and moderate intensity of activity with the strongest protective effect among individuals who exercised during more than 40 weeks per year. The results for cumulated leisure-time physical activity assessed 1 year prior to diagnosis achieved the same level of risk reduction. In addition, stronger risk estimates for leisure-time physical activity were observed among women (men: OR 0.74, 95 % CI 0.54-1.01; women: OR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.37-0.75). The findings for female participants were stronger for intensity and frequency of leisure-time physical activity, in particular for light and moderate activity (OR 0.43, 95 % CI 0.25-0.75; and OR 0.57, 95 % CI 0.37-0.88, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide evidence for a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer associated with regular leisure-time physical activity.
Genetic Epidemiology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 cours Albert Thomas, 69372, Lyon Cedex 08, France.
Darren R
DR
Brenner
Magdalena B
MB
Wozniak
Clément
C
Feyt
Ivana
I
Holcatova
Vladimir
V
Janout
Lenka
L
Foretova
Eleonora
E
Fabianova
Olga
O
Shonova
Arnost
A
Martinek
Miroslav
M
Ryska
Zora
Z
Adamcakova
Erik
E
Flaska
Aurelie
A
Moskal
Paul
P
Brennan
Ghislaine
G
Scelo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009790:Occupations; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult