Physical activity and gastric cancer risk: a case-control study in the Amazon region of Brazil

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Investigations of lifestyle factors such as physical activity may identify risk patterns in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the level of habitual physical activity and its association with the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma in the Amazon region. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study. Questionnaires investigating sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity were applied between July 2017 and April 2019. To assess habitual physical activity, we used the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire, which assessed physical exercise (PE), occupational physical activity, and leisure and locomotion activity (LLA). The Chi-square association test was applied and univariate and multiple binary logistic regression models were used for odds ratio analysis. The descriptive level of 5% (P < 0.05) was selected for statistical significance. The sample consisted of 297 individuals, with 147 cases and 150 controls. Those who performed PE at the second percentile level for 5 years before the interview were 71% less likely to develop gastric cancer (P = 0.012). Individuals with the highest LLA levels during the preceding 10 and 15 years were 76 and 78% less likely to have gastric cancer, respectively. In this study, physical activity related to sport and to leisure and locomotion was an independent protective factor that was inversely associated with gastric cancer.