Lower Cancer Rates in Former College Athletes
Author Information
Author(s): R.E. Frisch, G. Wyshak, N.L. Albright, T.E. Albright, I. Schiff, K.P. Jones, J. Witschi, E. Shiang, E. Koff, M. Marguglio
Primary Institution: Harvard School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Are there differences in the long-term reproductive and general health of college athletes compared to college non-athletes?
Conclusion
Long-term athletic training may lower the risk of breast cancer and cancers of the reproductive system.
Supporting Evidence
- Former athletes had a significantly lower risk of breast and reproductive system cancers compared to non-athletes.
- 82.4% of athletes had been on pre-college teams compared to 24.9% of non-athletes.
- The relative risk for reproductive system cancers was 2.53, indicating a higher risk for non-athletes.
- The relative risk for breast cancer was 1.86, also indicating a higher risk for non-athletes.
Takeaway
Women who played sports in college are less likely to get breast cancer and other reproductive cancers than those who didn't.
Methodology
The study analyzed medical and reproductive history through questionnaires sent to 7,559 alumnae, comparing 2,622 former athletes to 2,776 non-athletes.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to the nature of self-reporting and the specific population studied.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data, which may introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants were living alumnae from various colleges, aged 21 to 80, with a majority from middle to upper-class backgrounds.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CL (1.17, 5.47) for reproductive cancers; 95% CL (1.00, 3.47) for breast cancer.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website