A Combined Healthy Lifestyle Score and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in a Large Cohort Study

Abstract

Background Smoking, alcohol use, diet, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity have been studied independently in relation to pancreatic cancer. We generated a healthy lifestyle score to investigate their joint effect on pancreatic cancer risk. Methods In the prospective National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study, a total of 450,416 participants aged 50–71 years completed the baseline food frequency questionnaire (1995–1996) eliciting diet and lifestyle information and were followed up through December 2003. We identified 1,057 eligible incident pancreatic cancer cases. Participants were scored for five modifiable lifestyle factors as “unhealthy” (0 points) or “healthy” (1 point) based on current epidemiologic evidence. Participants received 1 point for each respective lifestyle factor: nonsmoking, limited alcohol use, adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, 18 ≤ BMI <25 kg/m2, or regular physical activity. A combined score (0–5 points) was calculated by summing the scores from the five factors. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pancreatic cancer. Results Compared to the lowest combined score (0 points), the highest score (5 points) was associated with a 58% reduction in risk of developing pancreatic cancer in all participants (RR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.26–0.66, P trend < .001). Scores of less than 5 points explained 27% of pancreatic cancer cases in our population. Conclusion This large study suggests that having a high, as opposed to a low, score on an index combining five modifiable lifestyle factors substantially reduces one’s risk of pancreatic cancer.

Clinical, Laboratory Biomarkers and Imaging Findings of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in Iran

“…Trace elements significant increase (p<0.0001) in blood Cd in PC patients compared with controls (Farzin et al, 2013). Also the protective effects of physical activity on pancreatic cancer risk are hypothesized in some articles (Inoue et al, 2008;Jiao et al, 2009;Stevens et al, 2009;Kruk et al, 2013). In our study, many of the patients were discovered having Diabetes mellitus (27.5%) at presentation of pancreas cancer.…”

The Association between Leisure Time Physical Activity and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Evidence suggests that several factors, including tobacco smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, a family history of pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, particularly familial pancreatitis, previously identified genes, and heavy alcohol consumption (5)(6)(7)(8)(9), could contribute to increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, Helicobacter pylori and/or hepatitis B infection, exposure to chemicals such as petroleum compounds and solvents, and physical inactivity have also been implicated as potential risk factors (10)(11)(12)(13)(14); however, results are inconclusive (4).…”

Health factors and longevity in men and women: a 26-year follow-up study

“…Health factors have the power to prevent and postpone the development of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and type II diabetes [1][2][3]. Several factors have been studied, usually: being physically active or being physically fit, having a healthy dietary pattern, non-smoking, low waist/hip ratio or normal BMI, and moderate alcohol consumption.…”