Estimating cancers attributable to physical inactivity in Australia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Previous estimates indicated 1814 cancer cases (1.6% of incident cancers) in Australia in 2010 were linked to physical inactivity, considering only three cancer sites.
• This study aimed to re-evaluate the burden of cancer attributable to physical inactivity across a broader range of 13 cancer sites in Australia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the number of cancer cases attributable to physical inactivity in Australia for 13 cancer sites.
• To quantify the potential impact of increased physical activity on cancer prevention in Australia.

Main Methods:

• Utilized population attributable fraction to estimate site-specific cancer cases linked to physical inactivity.
• Employed potential impact fraction to model preventable cancer cases if physical activity levels were modestly increased.
• Incorporated national physical activity data (2004-05), cancer incidence data (2015), and relative-risk estimates, assuming a 10-year latency period.

Main Results:

• An estimated 6361 cancer cases diagnosed in 2015 (4.8% of all cancers) were attributable to physical inactivity.
• A modest increase in physical activity by one category among Australian adults in 2004-05 could have potentially prevented 2564 cancer cases (1.9% of all cancers) in 2015.

Conclusions:

• The burden of cancer attributable to physical inactivity is more than three times higher than previously reported.
• Physical activity promotion must be a core strategy within Australian cancer prevention programs.