Physical activity and risk of cancers of the colon and rectum: an Italian case-control study
1999

Physical Activity and Colon Cancer Risk

Sample size: 5379 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Tavani A, Braga C, Vecchia C La, Conti E, Filiberti R, Montella M, Amadori D, Russo A, Franceschi S

Primary Institution: Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’

Hypothesis

Is there a relationship between physical activity and the risk of colon and rectal cancers?

Conclusion

Occupational physical activity is protective against colon cancer but not against rectal cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study included 1225 patients with colon cancer and 4154 controls.
  • Occupational physical activity showed a protective effect against colon cancer.
  • No significant association was found between physical activity and rectal cancer.

Takeaway

Being active at work can help lower the chances of getting colon cancer, but it doesn't seem to help with rectal cancer.

Methodology

A case-control study conducted between 1991 and 1996 in six Italian centres.

Limitations

The study only looked at occupational physical activity and did not find associations with leisure-time physical activity.

Participant Demographics

1225 patients with colon cancer (688 men, 537 women) and 4154 controls (2073 men, 2081 women) below 75 years old.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% CI 0.44–0.93 for men, 95% CI 0.33–0.72 for women

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6690304

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