Comparison of pre-diagnosis physical activity and its correlates among lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer patients: accelerometer data from the UK Biobank prospective cohort

Abstract Purpose Understanding pre-diagnosis physical activity (PA) and its correlates will be helpful in promoting PA. However, few studies have examined the actual volume and correlates of objectively measured pre-diagnosis PA and little is known about how PA behaviors are similar/different between cancer types. This study aimed to compare pre-diagnosis PA and its correlates in patients with lung cancer and other types of cancer (breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer) and examine the relationship between pre-diagnosis PA and all-cause mortality. Methods This study used data from the UK Biobank, which is a national cohort study with accelerometry data. We included 2,662 participants and used adjusted linear regressions and survival analyses.Results Male and female lung cancer groups spent a mean of 78 and 91 minutes/day in pre-diagnosis MVPA, respectively; this is lower than the three other types of cancer (P<0.001). Younger age and faster walking pace had a strong association with PA in all the four types of cancer (P<0.01). Smoking status had a strong association with PA in the lung cancer group, while obesity had a strong association with PA in breast, colorectal and prostate cancer (P<0.01). Higher levels of pre-diagnosis MVPA (>1.5 hour/day) were associated with a significantly lower all-cause mortality risk.Conclusions Our study suggests that lung cancer patients are the most inactive population before diagnosis. The identified difference in correlates of PA suggesting that cancer-specific approaches are needed in PA research and practices. This study also highlights the importance of high PA for individuals with high cancer risk.