Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PreCaFit (PREvention CAncer through physical FITness)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-09-01 do 2024-08-31
Problem/Issue being addressed: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 18.1 million new cases and nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. This unprecedented increase is largely driven by demographic changes and key risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol use, poor dietary habits, and physical inactivity. These modifiable risk factors highlight the urgent need for primary prevention as a public health priority.
Importance for society: Cancer not only leads to substantial mortality but also places a significant economic burden on healthcare systems and society at large. Addressing modifiable risk factors, like physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness, can reduce cancer risk and benefit both individuals and society. By prioritizing prevention, we can ease the economic strain associated with cancer treatment and management, thereby fostering healthier and more sustainable communities.
Overall objectives: The primary goal of the PreCaFit project is to fill critical knowledge gaps regarding the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and cancer. By examining these factors in large adult cohorts, PreCaFit aims to provide robust, consistent data to clarify the protective role of physical activity and fitness against cancer.
Importance for society: Cancer not only leads to substantial mortality but also places a significant economic burden on healthcare systems and society at large. Addressing modifiable risk factors, like physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness, can reduce cancer risk and benefit both individuals and society. By prioritizing prevention, we can ease the economic strain associated with cancer treatment and management, thereby fostering healthier and more sustainable communities.
Overall objectives: The primary goal of the PreCaFit project is to fill critical knowledge gaps regarding the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and cancer. By examining these factors in large adult cohorts, PreCaFit aims to provide robust, consistent data to clarify the protective role of physical activity and fitness against cancer.
During the outgoing period, we have performed two manuscript that are in different phases: 1. Occupational physical activity and 14 different types of cancer in a large cohort of Norwegian adults. This manuscript is currently under major revision in Nature Communications. The main conclusion of the paper is that the level of physical activity at work determine the cancer incidence and to lesser extent to mortality in adults; 2. Physical activity, adiposity and colorectal cancer in UK women. This paper is now under the phase of being reviewed by the co-authors. The main findings show that the higher the level of total and central adiposity, the greater the risk of colorectal cancer incidence. In regards to physical activity, the high-active group presented lower risk of rectum cancer incidence compared to the low-active group.
As part of the dissemination, I have actively communicated the importance of maintaining physical fitness throughout life, starting from early childhood. To reach a broad audience, particularly children and adolescents, to highlighte the participation in the European Commission’s Science is Wonderful! event. Under the booth titled “Fit for life!”, we highlighted the role of physical fitness in preventing health issues, promoting awareness among the general public and younger generations about the benefits of staying fit for lifelong health.
As part of the dissemination, I have actively communicated the importance of maintaining physical fitness throughout life, starting from early childhood. To reach a broad audience, particularly children and adolescents, to highlighte the participation in the European Commission’s Science is Wonderful! event. Under the booth titled “Fit for life!”, we highlighted the role of physical fitness in preventing health issues, promoting awareness among the general public and younger generations about the benefits of staying fit for lifelong health.
Progress beyond the state of the art: The PreCaFit project advances beyond current research by examining the association between objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness and cancer risk on an unprecedented scale. Unlike previous studies that often rely on self-reported data or focus narrowly on physical activity, this project uses precise fitness measurements in large cohort to explore its link with cancer risk. This approach addresses critical gaps in the existing literature and provides more reliable insights into the preventive potential of fitness against cancer, especially breast cancer.
Expected results by project completion: By the end of the project, we anticipate providing robust evidence on how cardiorespiratory fitness levels influence cancer risk, stratified by demographic factors such as age and sex. This comprehensive data will enable a better understanding of how fitness interventions can be tailored to optimize cancer prevention. Additionally, our findings aim to establish a foundation for future public health guidelines and fitness standards, with potential recommendations specifically targeting populations at increased cancer risk.
Potential impacts:
• Socio-economic impact: The insights gained from this project could significantly reduce healthcare costs by emphasizing preventive approaches to cancer. By promoting fitness as a key component of cancer prevention, we may lower the incidence of cancer, thereby alleviating the economic burden on healthcare systems and enabling a more cost-effective allocation of resources.
• Wider societal implications: The project also aims to raise public awareness about the role of fitness in preventing chronic diseases, including cancer. Enhanced understanding and adoption of fitness-focused preventive measures can contribute to healthier, more resilient communities. Furthermore, by fostering a culture of fitness from a young age, this project supports long-term societal well-being and aligns with broader public health goals for improved quality of life across all age groups.
Expected results by project completion: By the end of the project, we anticipate providing robust evidence on how cardiorespiratory fitness levels influence cancer risk, stratified by demographic factors such as age and sex. This comprehensive data will enable a better understanding of how fitness interventions can be tailored to optimize cancer prevention. Additionally, our findings aim to establish a foundation for future public health guidelines and fitness standards, with potential recommendations specifically targeting populations at increased cancer risk.
Potential impacts:
• Socio-economic impact: The insights gained from this project could significantly reduce healthcare costs by emphasizing preventive approaches to cancer. By promoting fitness as a key component of cancer prevention, we may lower the incidence of cancer, thereby alleviating the economic burden on healthcare systems and enabling a more cost-effective allocation of resources.
• Wider societal implications: The project also aims to raise public awareness about the role of fitness in preventing chronic diseases, including cancer. Enhanced understanding and adoption of fitness-focused preventive measures can contribute to healthier, more resilient communities. Furthermore, by fostering a culture of fitness from a young age, this project supports long-term societal well-being and aligns with broader public health goals for improved quality of life across all age groups.