Research Strategies for Nutritional and Physical Activity Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention

Abstract

Very large international and ethnic differences in cancer rates exist, are minimally explained by genetic factors, and show the huge potential for cancer prevention. A substantial portion of the differences in cancer rates can be explained by modifiable factors, and many important relationships have been documented between diet, physical activity, and obesity, and incidence of important cancers. Other related factors, such as the microbiome and the metabolome, are emerging as important intermediary components in cancer prevention. It is possible with the incorporation of newer technologies and studies including long follow-up and evaluation of effects across the life cycle, additional convincing results will be produced. However, several challenges exist for cancer researchers; for example, measurement of diet and physical activity, and lack of standardization of samples for microbiome collection, and validation of metabolomic studies. The United States National Cancer Institute convened the Research Strategies for Nutritional and Physical Activity Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention Workshop on June 28-29, 2016, in Rockville, Maryland, during which the experts addressed the state of the science and areas of emphasis. This current paper reflects the state of the science and priorities for future research. .

American Cancer Society guideline for diet and physical activity for cancer prevention

“…20,21 Similarly, physical activity is inversely associated with risk of cancer, yet understanding the details of dose-response relationships and the critical time points in life at which benefits may be observed has been constrained by measurement challenges, confounding by obesity, and the limited number of intervention trials. 20 One major change in cancer prevention guidelines over time, which reflects the current and evolving scientific evidence, has been a shift from a reductionist or nutrient-centric approach to a more holistic concept of diet that is characterized as dietary patterns. A focus on dietary patterns, in contrast to individual nutrients and bioactive compounds, is more consistent with what and how people actually eat.…”

Muscle-strengthening activities and cancer incidence and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

“…More recently, the American College of Sports Medicine [ 1 ] and the United States Department of Health and Human Services [ 4 ] have concluded strong evidence for the relationship between aerobic MVPA and reduced risk of seven types of cancer: breast, colon, endometrial, esophagus, kidney, bladder and stomach. Nevertheless, the potential effect of different types of physical activity for cancer prevention remains unclear [ 5 ].…”

Childhood obesity research at the NIH: Efforts, gaps, and opportunities

“…To address this need and encourage innovative research with novel assessment approaches, better statistical methods and modeling, and tools for culturally diverse populations and/ or children at various ages, the NIH supports the Diet and Physical Activity Assessment Methodology (PA-16-167). However, the advancement and application of appropriate diet and physical activity measures remains challenging, as highlighted at two workshops at NIH, "Extending Dietary Patterns Research Methods" [35] and "Research Strategies for Nutritional and Physical Activity Epidemiology and Cancer Prevention" [36].…”