Higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity following a cancer diagnosis were associated with lower risk of cancer mortality among survivors of several less commonly studied cancers, according to a pooled analysis of six cohort studies published in JAMA Network Open.
Higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity following a cancer diagnosis were associated with lower risk of cancer mortality among survivors of several less commonly studied cancers, according to a pooled analysis of six cohort studies published in JAMA Network Open.
Key Findings
Any amount of postdiagnosis moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with lower cancer mortality among survivors of bladder, endometrial, and lung cancer compared with no activity. Higher activity levels were associated with lower cancer mortality among survivors of ovarian cancer.
Among survivors of oral cancer, higher activity levels—including amounts consistent with doubling or tripling physical activity guidelines—were associated with lower cancer mortality. Among rectal cancer survivors, activity levels consistent with doubling guidelines were associated with lower cancer mortality.
Notably, lung and rectal cancer survivors who did not meet physical activity guidelines prior to diagnosis but met guidelines following diagnosis had lower cancer mortality compared with those who did not meet guidelines at either time point
In contrast, meeting activity guidelines prior to diagnosis alone was not associated with lower cancer mortality.
Study Context
Participants were drawn from six prospective cohorts with repeated assessments of leisure-time physical activity. Postdiagnosis activity was measured at least 1 year following diagnosis to reduce the influence of active treatment, with surveys completed a mean of 2.8 years after diagnosis
The researchers adjusted for cancer stage and treatment, smoking, alcohol use, and other clinical variables. During follow-up, 4,872 participants died of cancer.
Sensitivity analyses excluding deaths within the first 2 years following activity assessment attenuated associations; however, associations remained for several cancer types, including endometrial, lung, ovarian, and rectal cancer.
The findings suggest that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity following a cancer diagnosis may be associated with improved survival among survivors of multiple cancer types, including bladder, endometrial, lung, ovarian, oral, and rectal cancer. The researchers noted that additional studies are needed to clarify the optimal activity dose and whether associations differ meaningfully by cancer site.
Disclosures: Dr. Rees-Punia reported no personal conflicts of interest. Several co-researchers reported receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health, and one reported research funding and equity interest outside the submitted work. The study was funded by the American Cancer Society.
Source: JAMA Network Open
