Exploring the link between walking and lung cancer risk: a two-stage Mendelian randomization analysis

Previous observational research showed a potential link between physical activities such as walking and the risk of lung cancer. However, Mendelian randomization (MR) studies suggested there was no association between moderate to vigorous physical activity and lung cancer risk. We speculated that specific physical activities may be associated with lung cancer risk. Consequently, we conducted an MR study to examine the potential relationship between walking and the risk of lung cancer.

We collected genetic summary data from UK Biobank. After excluding SNPs with F values less than 10 and those associated with confounding factors, we conducted a MR analysis to assess the causal effects between different types of walk and lung cancer. We also performed sensitivity analysis to validate the robustness of our findings. Finally, we analyzed the possible mediators.

MR analysis showed number of days/week walked for 10 + minutes was associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer risk (OR = 0.993, 95% CI = 0.987-0.998, P = 0.009). Additionally, usual walking pace was identified as a potentially significant factor in lowering the risk (OR = 0.989, 95% CI = 0.980-0.998, P = 0.015). However, duration of walks alone did not show a significant association with lung cancer risk (OR = 0.991, 95%CI = 0.977-1.005, P = 0.216). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. And number of days/week walked for 10 + minutes could affect fed-up feelings and then lung cancer risk. There was a bidirectional relationship between usual walking pace and sedentary behaviors (time spent watching TV).

The study unveiled a genetically predicted causal relationship between number of days/week walked for 10 + minutes, usual walking pace, and the risk of lung cancer. The exploration of potential mediators of walking phenotypes and their impact on lung cancer risk suggests that specific physical activities may reduce the risk of lung cancer.