Regular recreational physical activity and risk of head and neck cancer

Chen Lin Lin ,Jeffrey S Chang,Sheen Yie Fang ,Yi Hui Wang ,Han Yang ,Ya Ling Weng ,Yu Shan Chen ,Jang Yang Chang ,Fengyi Lin ,Cheng Huang ,Tung Yiu Wong ,Ming Yang ,Wei Hsueh ,Shang Yin Wu ,Yi-Chun Lai ,Chien-Hui Ou ,Sen Tien Tsai ,Ken Chung Chen ,Jenn Ren Hsiao ,Hsiao Chen Liao ,Wei Ting Lee ,Jow-Lay Huang ,Chia Jui Yen ,Jiunn-Lin Wu ,Tze Ta Huang ,Yuan Wu

doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3223-7

Chen Lin Lin , Jeffrey S Chang + Show 24 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-017-3223-7

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Abstract

BackgroundAlthough substantial evidence supports a 20–30% risk reduction of colon cancer, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer by physical activity (PA), the evidence for head and neck cancer (HNC) is limited. Three published studies on the association between PA and HNC have generated inconsistent results. The current study examined the association between recreational PA (RPA) and HNC risk with a more detailed assessment on the intensity, frequency, duration, and total years of RPA.MethodsData on RPA were collected from 623 HNC cases and 731 controls by in-person interview using a standardized questionnaire. The association between RPA and HNC risk was assessed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for sex, age, educational level, use of alcohol, betel quid, and cigarette, and consumption of vegetables and fruits.ResultsA significant inverse association between RPA and HNC risk was observed in a logistic regression model that adjusted for sex, age, and education (odds ratio (OR) = 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51-0.82). However, after further adjustment for the use of alcohol, betel quid, and cigarette, and consumption of vegetables and fruits, RPA was no longer associated with HNC risk (OR =0.97, 95% CI: 0.73-1.28). No significant inverse association between RPA and HNC risk was observed in the analysis stratified by HNC sites or by the use of alcohol, betel quid, or cigarette.ConclusionResults from our study did not support an inverse association between RPA and HNC risk. The major focus of HNC prevention should be on cessation of cigarette smoking and betel chewing, reduction of alcohol drinking, and promotion of healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Highlights

Substantial evidence supports a 20–30% risk reduction of colon cancer, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer by physical activity (PA), the evidence for head and neck cancer (HNC) is limited
The major focus of HNC prevention should be on cessation of cigarette smoking and betel chewing, reduction of alcohol drinking, and promotion of healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables
In the current analysis, we found a significant inverse association between recreational PA (RPA) and HNC risk in the logistic regression model that adjusted for sex, age, and education

Summary

Introduction

Substantial evidence supports a 20–30% risk reduction of colon cancer, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer by physical activity (PA), the evidence for head and neck cancer (HNC) is limited. The current study examined the association between recreational PA (RPA) and HNC risk with a more detailed assessment on the intensity, frequency, duration, and total years of RPA. Head and neck cancer (HNC) (cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx) is the fifth leading cancer in the world, with approximately 600,000 annual incident cases [1]. Many studies have investigated the benefit of PA to reduce the risk of cancer. There is substantial evidence to support a 20–30% risk reduction of colon cancer, breast cancer, and endometrial cancer by PA, while the evidence for other cancers is limited [6, 7]

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