Different Intensities of Physical Activity and Risk of Male Genital Cancers: Exploring Potential Causal Relationships

Physical activity is associated with cancer of the male genitalia. However, the genetic causality of this association remains unclear. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to explore the potential causal relationship between different intensities of physical activity and cancer of the male genitalia. This study utilized single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with vigorous exercise obtained from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and summary genetic data associated with male genital cancer from published GWAS. The main analysis method used was the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method for two-sample MR analysis. The heterogeneity of the results was assessed using Cochran's Q statistic, while horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using MR-Egger. Sensitivity analysis included a "leave-one-out" test. The results showed that light DIY activity was a risk factor for male genital cancer (OR = 1.045, 95% confidence interval [1.004, 1.089], p = .033). The result passed the sensitivity test. This study found the effect of light DIY activities on male genital cancer. Future studies should further explore the impact of different types of physical activity on specific types of male genital cancer to improve relevant prevention strategies.