Associations between health-related fitness and patient-reported symptoms in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients experience symptoms that may affect their quality of life, treatment outcomes, and survival. Preventing and managing breast cancer-related symptoms soon after diagnosis is essential. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between health-related fitness (HRF) and patient-reported symptoms in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. METHODS: This study utilized baseline data from the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer (AMBER) Cohort Study that were collected within 90 days of diagnosis. HRF measures included peak cardiopulmonary fitness (VO2peak), maximal muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Symptom measures included depression, sleep quality, and fatigue. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression was performed for analyses. RESULTS: Of 1458 participants, 51.5% reported poor sleep quality, 26.5% reported significant fatigue, and 10.4% reported moderate depression. In multivariable-adjusted models, lower relative VO2peak was independently associated with a greater likelihood of all symptom measures, including moderate depression (p < 0.001), poor sleep quality (p = 0.009), significant fatigue (p = 0.008), any symptom (p < 0.001), and multiple symptoms (p < 0.001). VO2peak demonstrated threshold associations with all symptom measures such that all 3 lower quartiles exhibited similar elevated risk compared to the highest quartile. The strength of the threshold associations varied by the symptom measure with odds ratios ranging from ∼1.5 for poor sleep quality to ∼3.0 for moderate depression and multiple symptoms. Moreover, lower relative upper body muscular endurance was also independently associated with fatigue in a dose-response manner (p = 0.001), and higher body weight was independently associated with poor sleep quality in an inverted-U pattern (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Relative VO2peak appears to be a critical HRF component associated with multiple patient-reported symptoms in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Other HRF parameters may also be important for specific symptoms. Exercise interventions targeting different HRF components may help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients manage specific symptoms and improve outcomes.

Physical activity for cancer prehabilitation: A scoping review.

This scoping review aims to synthesize the current landscape of physical activity in cancer prehabilitation and identify knowledge gaps. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and WEB OF SCIENCE for exercise interventions and observational studies that measured exercise or physical activity before cancer treatment from inception to January 20, 2023. Fifty-one articles from 44 unique studies were reviewed, including 32 intervention and 12 observational studies. Surgery is the only treatment modality that has been investigated. Included studies used heterogeneous exercise interventions and measures for physical activity. Colorectal and other gastrointestinal, lung, and urologic cancers are the most studied cancer types. Exercise intervention in cancer prehabilitation is highly feasible. The evidence for improved fitness, functional, psychosocial, and clinical outcomes is promising yet limited. Although research has increased recently, prehabilitation exercise remains a relatively under-investigated area in oncology. We have provided research directions towards an ideal cancer prehabilitation design in the real-world setting.

Hypertension and risk of endometrial cancer: a pooled analysis in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium (E2C2).

BACKGROUND: The incidence rates of endometrial cancer (EC) are increasing, which may partly be explained by the rising prevalence of obesity, an established risk factor for EC. Hypertension, another component of metabolic syndrome, is also increasing in prevalence, and emerging evidence suggests that it may be associated with the development of certain cancers. The role of hypertension independent of other components of metabolic syndrome in the etiology of EC remains unclear. In this study we evaluated hypertension as an independent risk factor for EC and whether this association is modified by other established risk factors. METHODS: We included 15,631 EC cases and 42,239 controls matched on age, race, and study-specific factors from 29 studies in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium. We used multivariable unconditional logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the association between hypertension and EC and whether this association differed by study design, race/ethnicity, body mass index, diabetes status, smoking status, or reproductive factors. RESULTS: Hypertension was associated with an increased risk of EC (OR=1.14, 95% CI:1.09-1.19). There was significant heterogeneity by study design (Phet<0.01), with a stronger magnitude of association observed among case-control vs. cohort studies. Stronger associations were also noted for pre-/peri-menopausal women and never users of postmenopausal hormone therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is associated with EC risk independently from known risk factors. Future research should focus on biologic mechanisms underlying this association. IMPACT: This study provides evidence that hypertension may be an independent risk factor for EC.

Prospective cohort of pre- and post-diagnosis alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking on survival outcomes: an Alberta Endometrial Cancer Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To examine the independent and joint relationships between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption with survival outcomes after endometrial cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Pre- and post-diagnosis smoking and drinking histories were obtained from endometrial cancer survivors diagnosed between 2002 and 2006 during in-person interviews at-diagnosis and at ~ 3 years post-diagnosis. Participants were followed until death or January 2022. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with Cox proportional hazards regression for associations with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: During a median 16.9 years of follow-up (IQR = 15.5-18.1 years), 152 of the 540 participants had a DFS event (recurrence: n = 73; deaths: n = 79) and 134 died overall. Most participants in this cohort were current drinkers (pre = 61.3%; post = 64.7%) while few were current cigarette smokers (pre = 12.8%; post = 11.5%). Pre-diagnosis alcohol consumption was not associated with survival, yet post-diagnosis alcohol intake ≥ 2 drinks/week was associated with worse OS compared with lifetime abstention (HR = 2.36, 95%CI = 1.00-5.54) as well as light intake (HR = 3.87, 95% CI = 1.67-8.96). Increased/consistently high alcohol intake patterns were associated with worse OS (HR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.15-7.37) compared with patterns of decreased/ceased intake patterns after diagnosis. A harmful dose-response relationship per each additional pre-diagnosis smoking pack-year with OS was noted among ever smokers. In this cohort, smoking and alcohol individually were not associated with DFS and combined pre-diagnosis smoking and alcohol intakes were not associated with either outcome. CONCLUSION: Endometrial cancer survivors with higher alcohol intakes after diagnosis had poorer OS compared with women who had limited exposure. Larger studies powered to investigate the individual and joint impacts of cigarette smoking and alcohol use patterns are warranted to provide additional clarity on these modifiable prognostic factors.

Prioritizing a research agenda on built environments and physical activity: a twin panel Delphi consensus process with researchers and knowledge users.

BACKGROUND: The growth of urban dwelling populations globally has led to rapid increases of research and policy initiatives addressing associations between the built environment and physical activity (PA). Given this rapid proliferation, it is important to identify priority areas and research questions for moving the field forward. The objective of this study was to identify and compare research priorities on the built environment and PA among researchers and knowledge users (e.g., policy makers, practitioners). METHODS: Between September 2022 and April 2023, a three-round, modified Delphi survey was conducted among two independent panels of international researchers (n = 38) and knowledge users (n = 23) to identify similarities and differences in perceived research priorities on the built environment and PA and generate twin 'top 10' lists of the most important research needs. RESULTS: From a broad range of self-identified issues, both panels ranked in common the most pressing research priorities including stronger study designs such as natural experiments, research that examines inequalities and inequities, establishing the cost effectiveness of interventions, safety and injuries related to engagement in active transportation (AT), and considerations for climate change and climate adaptation. Additional priorities identified by researchers included: implementation science, research that incorporates Indigenous perspectives, land-use policies, built environments that support active aging, and participatory research. Additional priorities identified by knowledge users included: built environments and PA among people living with disabilities and a need for national data on trip chaining, multi-modal travel, and non-work or school-related AT. CONCLUSIONS: Five common research priorities between the two groups emerged, including (1) to better understand causality, (2) interactions with the natural environment, (3) economic evaluations, (4) social disparities, and (5) preventable AT-related injuries. The findings may help set directions for future research, interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations, and funding opportunities.

Leisure-time physical activity, daily sitting time, and mortality among US skin cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effect of sitting time and physical activity after a skin cancer diagnosis. METHODS: A cohort of a nationally representative sample of skin cancer survivors (n=862) and non-cancer adults (n=13691) ≥50 years from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Mortality data were linked through December 31, 2019. RESULTS: During up to 13.2 years of follow-up (median, 6.3 years; 94,093 person-years), 207 deaths (cancer: 53) occurred in skin cancer survivors and 1970 (cancer: 414) in non-cancer adults. After adjusting for covariates and skin cancer type, being active was associated with lower risks of all-cause (HR=0.69; 95% CI: 0.47 to 1.00) and non-cancer (HR=0.59; 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.97) mortality compared to being inactive among skin cancer survivors. Meanwhile, sitting 8 h/d was associated with higher risks of all-cause (HR=1.72; 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.67) and non-cancer (HR=1.76; 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.92) mortality compared to sitting <6 h/d. In the joint analysis, inactive skin cancer survivors sitting >8 h/d had the highest mortality risks from all-cause (HR=2.26; 95% CI: 1.28 to 4.00) and non-cancer (HR=2.11; 95% CI,1.10 to 4.17). Additionally, the associations of LTPA and sitting time with all-cause and cause-specific mortality did not differ between skin cancer survivors and non-cancer adults (all P for interaction>0.05) CONCLUSION: The combination of prolonged sitting and lack of physical activity was associated with elevated risks of all-cause and non-cancer deaths among US skin cancer survivors. Skin cancer survivors could benefit from maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

Upper Limb Morbidity in Newly Diagnosed Individuals After Unilateral Surgery for Breast Cancer: Baseline Results from the AMBER Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to examine potential associations between post-surgical upper limb morbidity and demographic, medical, surgical, and health-related fitness variables in newly diagnosed individuals with breast cancer. METHODS: Participants were recruited between 2012 and 2019. Objective measures of health-related fitness, body composition, shoulder range of motion, axillary web syndrome, and lymphedema were performed within 3 months of breast cancer surgery, and prior to or at the start of adjuvant cancer treatment. RESULTS: Upper limb morbidity was identified in 54% of participants and was associated with poorer upper limb function and higher pain. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery (odds ratio [OR] 3.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.65-4.65), axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel lymph node dissection (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.73-4.10), earlier versus later time from surgery (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.15-2.18), and younger versus older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.03) as significantly associated with a higher odds of upper limb morbidity, while mastectomy (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.10-2.25), axillary lymph node dissection (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.34-3.60), lower muscular endurance (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.16) and higher percentage body fat (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07) were significantly associated with higher odds of moderate or greater morbidity severity. CONCLUSIONS: Upper limb morbidity is common in individuals after breast cancer surgery prior to adjuvant cancer treatment. Health-related fitness variables were associated with severity of upper limb morbidity. Findings may facilitate prospective surveillance of individuals at higher risk of developing upper limb morbidity.

Trends and cancer-specific patterns of physical activity, sleep duration, and daily sitting time among US cancer survivors, 1997-2018.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity, sufficient sleep, and limiting sedentary time may improve cancer survivorship. METHODS: Utilizing US nationally representative samples from the National Health Interview Survey 1997-2018 and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2018, this study investigated the trends of meeting physical activity guidelines, insufficient sleep duration, and sitting time in US cancer survivors (n = 58 527) and noncancer adults (n = 640 109). RESULTS: From 1997 to 2018, the prevalence of meeting physical activity guidelines was consistently lower in cancer survivors than in noncancer adults. Among cancer survivors, the prevalence of meeting physical activity guidelines increased from 34.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 33.1% to 36.8%) to 46.5% (95% CI = 45.0% to 48.1%) for aerobic (≥150 minutes per week at moderate intensity or 75 minutes per week at vigorous intensity), from 13.9% (95% CI = 12.8% to 15.1%) to 23.1% (95% CI = 21.8% to 24.4%) for muscle strengthening (≥2 days per week) activities, and from 9.5% (95% CI = 8.4% to 10.7%) to 17.9% (95% CI = 16.7% to 19.1%) for both combined (all Ptrend < .001). From 2004 to 2018, the prevalence of insufficient sleep duration (<7 hours per day) increased from 28.4% (95% CI = 26.3% to 30.5%) to 30.8% (95% CI = 29.3% to 32.2%) (Ptrend = .004). Daily sitting time increased from 6.09 hours per day (95% CI = 5.71 to 6.46 hours per day) in 2007-2008 to 7.36 hours per day (95% CI = 7.05 to 7.68 hours per day) in 2013-2014 and attenuated to 6.20 hours per day (95% CI = 5.74 to 6.65 hours per day) in 2017-2018. The pattern of physical activity, sleep, and sitting time varied by sex, race and ethnicity, body mass index, cancer type, and time since cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of US cancer survivors did not meet physical activity guidelines, and a large proportion had insufficient sleep duration and prolonged sitting time.

Social-cognitive, demographic, clinical, and health-related correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in newly diagnosed women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Identifying correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour allows for the identification of factors that may be targeted in future behaviour change interventions. This study sought to determine the social-cognitive, demographic, clinical, and health-related correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in individuals recently diagnosed with breast cancer. METHODS: Data were collected from 1381 participants within 90 days of diagnosis in the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer (AMBER) Cohort Study. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured with ActiGraph GT3X+® and activPALTM devices, respectively, for seven consecutive days. Correlates were collected via a self-reported questionnaire, medical record extraction, or measured by staff. RESULTS: Multivariable models were fitted for sedentary behaviour, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Greater sedentary behaviour was associated with higher body fat percentage (BF%) (ß=0.044; p<0.001) and being single (ß=0.542; p<0.002). Lower light physical activity was associated with higher BF% (ß=-0.044; p<0.001), higher body mass index (ß=-0.039; p<0.001), greater disease barrier influence (ß=-0.006; p<0.001), a HER2-positive diagnosis (ß=-0.278; p=0.001), and being single (ß=-0.385; p= 0.001). Lower moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with higher BF% (ß =-0.011; p=0.001), greater disease barrier influence (ß=-0.002; p<0.001), and being of Asian (ß=-0.189; p=0.002) or Indian/South American (ß=-0.189; p=0.002) descent. Greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with having greater intentions (ß=0.049; p=0.033) and planning (ß=0.026; p=0.015) towards physical activity. CONCLUSION: Tailoring interventions to increase physical activity for individuals recently diagnosed with breast cancer may improve long-term outcomes across the breast cancer continuum.

Association between circadian physical activity patterns and mortality in the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of physical activity (PA) for increasing longevity is well-established, however, the impact of diurnal timing of PA on mortality remains poorly understood. We aimed to derive circadian PA patterns and investigate their associations with all-cause mortality. METHODS: We used 24 h PA time series from 96,351 UK Biobank participants aged between 42 and 79 years at accelerometry in 2013-2015. Functional principal component analysis (fPCA) was applied to obtain circadian PA patterns. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, we related the loading scores of these fPCs to estimate risk of mortality. RESULTS: During 6.9 years of follow-up, 2,850 deaths occurred. Four distinct fPCs accounted for 96% of the variation of the accelerometry data. Using a loading score of zero (i.e., average overall PA during the day) as the reference, a fPC1 score of + 2 (high overall PA) was inversely associated with mortality (Hazard ratio, HR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.84-0.99), whereas a score of -2 (low overall PA) was associated with higher mortality (1.69; 95% CI: 1.57-1.81; p for non-linearity < 0.001). Significant inverse linear associations with mortality were observed for engaging in midday PA instead of early and late PA (fPC3) (HR for a 1-unit increase 0.88; 95% CI: 0.83-0.93). In contrast, midday and nocturnal PA instead of early and evening PA (fPC4) were positively associated with mortality (HR for a 1-unit increase 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08-1.25). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that it is less important during which daytime hours one is active but rather, to engage in some level of elevated PA for longevity.

Depression, happiness, and satisfaction with life in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: Associations with device-measured physical activity and sedentary time.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined depression after a cancer diagnosis and before initiating adjuvant or neoadjuvant systemic treatments. In this study, we present baseline data on device-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour, depression, happiness, and satisfaction with life in newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors. PURPOSE: To examine associations of accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sedentary time with depression symptoms and prevalence, happiness, and satisfaction with life. METHODS: Shortly after diagnosis, 1425 participants completed depression, happiness, and satisfaction with life measures and wore an ActiGraph® device on their hip to measure physical activity and the activPALTM inclinometer on their thigh for 7 days to measure sedentary time (sitting/lying) and steps (1384 completed both device measures). ActiGraph® data were analysed using a hybrid machine learning method (R Sojourn package, Soj3x), and activPALTM data using activPALTM algorithms (PAL Software version 8). We used linear and logistic regression to examine associations of physical activity and sedentary time with depression symptom severity (0-27) and depression prevalence, happiness (0-100), and satisfaction with life (0-35). For the logistic regression analysis, we compared participants with none-minimal depression (n = 895) to participants with some depression (that is, mild, moderate, moderately-severe, or severe depression [n = 530]). RESULTS: Participants reported a mean depression symptom severity score of 4.3 (SD = 4.1), a satisfaction with life score of 25.7 (SD = 7.2), and a happiness score of 70 (SD = 21.8). Higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with reduced depression symptom severity scores (ß = -0.51, 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.14, p = 0.007). A 1 hour increase in MVPA was associated with a reduced odds of at least mild or worse depression by 24% (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62-0.94, p = 0.012). Higher daily step counts were associated with lower depression symptom severity scores (ß = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.24 to -0.10, p < 0.001). Perceptions of happiness was associated with higher MVPA (ß = 2.17, 95% CI: 0.17-4.17, p = 0.033). Sedentary time was not associated with depression severity, but higher sedentary time was associated with lower perceptions of happiness (ß = -0.80, 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.11, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Higher physical activity was associated with fewer depression symptom severity scores and reduced odds of mild or worse depression in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Higher physical activity and daily step counts were also associated with stronger perceptions of happiness and satisfaction with life, respectively. Sedentary time was not associated with depression symptom severity or odds of having depression, but was associated with stronger perceptions of happiness.

Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity and Cancer Incidence Among Nonexercising Adults: The UK Biobank Accelerometry Study.

Importance: Vigorous physical activity (VPA) is a time-efficient way to achieve recommended physical activity (PA) for cancer prevention, although structured longer bouts of VPA (via traditional exercise) are unappealing or inaccessible to many individuals. Objectives: To evaluate the dose-response association of device-measured daily vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) with incident cancer, and to estimate the minimal dose required for a risk reduction of 50% of the maximum reduction. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a prospective cohort analysis of 22 398 self-reported nonexercising adults from the UK Biobank accelerometry subsample. Participants were followed up through October 30, 2021 (mortality and hospitalizations), or June 30, 2021 (cancer registrations). Exposures: Daily VILPA of up to 1 and up to 2 minutes, assessed by accelerometers worn on participants' dominant wrist. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence of total cancer and PA-related cancer (a composite outcome of 13 cancer sites associated with low PA levels). Hazard ratios and 95% CIs were estimated using cubic splines adjusted for age, sex, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, fruit and vegetable consumption, parental cancer history, light- and moderate-intensity PA, and VPA from bouts of more than 1 or 2 minute(s), as appropriate. Results: The study sample comprised 22 398 participants (mean [SD] age, 62.0 [7.6] years; 10 122 [45.2%] men and 12 276 [54.8%] women; 21 509 [96.0%] White individuals). During a mean (SD) follow-up of 6.7 (1.2) years (149 650 person-years), 2356 total incident cancer events occurred, 1084 owing to PA-related cancer. Almost all (92.3%) of VILPA was accrued in bouts of up to 1 minute. Daily VILPA duration was associated with outcomes in a near-linear manner, with steeper dose-response curves for PA-related cancer than total cancer incidence. Compared with no VILPA, the median daily VILPA duration of bouts up to 1 minute (4.5 minutes per day) was associated with an HR of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.69-0.92) for total cancer and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.55-0.86) for PA-related cancer. The minimal dose was 3.4 minutes per day for total (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.93) and 3.7 minutes for PA-related (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59-0.88) cancer incidence. Findings were similar for VILPA bout of up to 2 minutes. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this prospective cohort study indicate that small amounts of VILPA were associated with lower incident cancer risk. Daily VILPA may be a promising intervention for cancer prevention in populations not able or motivated to exercise in leisure time.

A qualitative study examining newly diagnosed breast cancer patients' experiences of participating in the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer (AMBER) prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Decisions to participate in cancer trials are associated with uncertainty, distress, wanting to help find a cure, the hope for benefit, and altruism. There is a gap in the literature regarding research examining participation in prospective cohort studies. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of newly diagnosed women with breast cancer participating in the AMBER Study to identify potential strategies to support patients' recruitment, retention, and motivation. METHODS: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were recruited from the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer (AMBER) cohort study. Data were collected using semi-structured conversational interviews with 21 participants from February to May 2020. Transcripts were imported into NVivo software for management, organization, and coding. Inductive content analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: Five main concepts associated with recruitment, retention, and motivation to participate were identified. These main concepts included: (1) personal interest in exercise and nutrition; (2) investment in individual results; (3) personal and professional interest in research; (4) burden of assessments; (5) importance of research staff. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer survivors participating in this prospective cohort study had numerous reasons for participating and these reasons could be considered in future studies to enhance participant recruitment and retention. Improving recruitment and retention in prospective cancer cohort studies could result in more valid and generalizable study findings that could improve the care of cancer survivors.

An ecological analysis of walkability and housing affordability in Canada: Moderation by city size and neighbourhood property type composition.

The neighbourhood built environment can support the physical activity of adults regardless of their individual-level socioeconomic status. However, physical activity supportive (walkable) neighbourhoods may not be accessible to those with lower incomes if homes in walkable neighbourhoods are too expensive. The objectives of this study were: 1) to estimate the associations between neighbourhood walkability and home values in Canadian cities, and 2) to test whether these associations differ by city size and residential property type composition within neighbourhoods. We linked built environment data from the 2016 Canadian Active Living Environments (Can-ALE) index with neighbourhood-level structural home characteristics and sociodemographic data from the 2016 Canadian census for 33,026 neighbourhoods across 31 Census Metropolitan Areas. We used multilevel linear regression models to estimate covariate-adjusted associations between neighbourhood walkability and natural-log median home values and tested city size and neighbourhood property type composition as moderators. There were no statistically significant associations between walkability and home values overall. The associations between neighbourhood walkability and home values were jointly moderated by city size and property type composition. For small and medium sized cities, within neighbourhoods containing a high proportion of detached homes, walkability was negatively associated with home values (b = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.10, -0.01; and, b = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.06, -0.02, for small and medium cities, respectively). However, for extra-large cities, within neighbourhoods containing a high proportion of detached homes, walkability was positively associated with home values (b = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.10). Our findings suggest that, based on housing affordability, higher walkable neighbourhoods are likely accessible to lower income households that are situated in small and medium Canadian cities. In larger cities, however, municipal interventions (e.g., inclusionary zoning or targeted development of subsidized or social housing) may be needed to ensure equitable access to walkable neighbourhoods for lower income households.

Designing, analyzing, and interpreting observational studies of physical activity and cancer outcomes from a clinical oncology perspective.

Observational studies may play an important role in evaluating physical activity (PA) as a cancer treatment; however, few studies have been designed, analyzed, or interpreted from a clinical oncology perspective. The purpose of the present paper is to apply the Exercise as Cancer Treatment (EXACT) Framework to assess current observational studies of PA and cancer outcomes from a clinical oncology perspective and provide recommendations to improve their clinical utility. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of over 130 observational studies have concluded that higher prediagnosis and postdiagnosis PA are associated with lower risks of cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. Most of these studies, however, have: (a) included cancer patients receiving heterogeneous treatment protocols, (b) provided minimal details about those cancer treatments, (c) assessed PA prediagnosis and/or postdiagnosis without reference to those cancer treatments, (d) reported mainly mortality outcomes, and (e) examined subgroups based on demographic and disease variables but not cancer treatments. As a result, current observational studies on PA and cancer outcomes have played a modest role in informing clinical exercise trials and clinical oncology practice. To improve their clinical utility, we recommend that future observational studies of PA and cancer outcomes: (a) recruit cancer patients receiving the same or similar first-line treatment protocols, (b) collect detailed data on all planned and unplanned cancer treatments beyond whether or not cancer treatments were received, (c) assess PA in relation to cancer treatments (i.e., before, during, between, after) rather than in relation to the cancer diagnosis (i.e., various time periods before and after diagnosis), (d) collect data on cancer-specific outcomes (e.g., disease response, progression, recurrence) in addition to mortality, (e) conduct subgroup analyses based on cancer treatments received in addition to demographic and disease variables, and (f) interpret mechanisms for any associations between PA and cancer-specific outcomes based on the clinical oncology scenario that is recapitulated rather than referencing generic mechanisms or discordant preclinical models. In conclusion, observational studies are well-suited to contribute important knowledge regarding the role of PA as a cancer treatment; however, modifications to study design and analysis are necessary if they are to inform clinical research and practice.

Associations between health-related fitness and quality of life in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients face substantial stress and uncertainty that may undermine their quality of life (QoL). The purpose of the present study was to examine the associations between health-related fitness (HRF) and QoL in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer Study. METHODS: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with early-stage disease (n = 1458) were recruited between 2012 and 2019 in Edmonton and Calgary, Canada to complete baseline HRF and QoL assessments within 90 days of diagnosis. HRF assessments included cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak treadmill test), muscular fitness (upper and lower body strength and endurance tests), and body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry). QoL was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) version 2. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between quartiles of HRF and poor/fair QoL (bottom 20%) after adjusting for key covariates. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, the least fit groups compared to the most fit groups for relative upper body strength (OR = 3.19; 95% CI = 1.98-5.14), lean mass percentage (OR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.37-3.89), and relative VO2peak (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.21-3.57) were independently at a significantly higher risk of poor/fair physical QoL. No meaningful associations were found for mental QoL. CONCLUSIONS: The three main components of HRF (muscular fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition) were independently associated with physical QoL in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Exercise interventions designed to improve these components of HRF may optimize physical QoL and help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients better prepare for treatments and recovery.

Long-term Mortality in Individuals Diagnosed With Cancer During Pregnancy or Postpartum.

Importance: Outcomes among patients with pregnancy-associated cancers (diagnosed during pregnancy or 1-year postpartum) other than breast cancer have received relatively little research attention. High-quality data from additional cancer sites are needed to inform the care of this unique group of patients. Objective: To assess mortality and survival in premenopausal women with pregnancy-associated cancers, with a particular focus on cancers other than those of the breast. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based retrospective cohort study included premenopausal women (aged 18-50 years) living in 3 Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario) diagnosed with cancer between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2016, with follow-up until December 31, 2017, or date of death. Data analysis occurred in 2021 and 2022. Exposures: Participants were categorized as being diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy (from conception to delivery), during the postpartum period (up to 1 year after delivery), or during a time that was remote from pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes were overall survival at 1 and 5 years and time from diagnosis to death due to any cause. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate mortality adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age at cancer diagnosis, cancer stage, cancer site, and days from diagnosis to first treatment. Meta-analysis was used to pool results across all 3 provinces. Results: During the study period there were 1014, 3074, and 20 219 participants diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy, postpartum, and periods remote from pregnancy, respectively. One-year survival was similar across the 3 groups, but 5-year survival was lower among those diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy or postpartum. Overall, there was a greater risk of death due to pregnancy-associated cancer among those diagnosed during pregnancy (aHR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.51-2.13) and postpartum (aHR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.33-1.67); however, these results varied across cancer sites. Increased hazard of mortality was observed for breast (aHR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.58-2.56), ovarian (aHR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.12-6.03), and stomach (aHR, 10.37; 95% CI, 3.56-30.24) cancers diagnosed during pregnancy, and brain (aHR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.28-5.90), breast (aHR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.32-1.95), and melanoma (aHR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.02-3.30) cancers diagnosed postpartum. Conclusions and Relevance: This population-based cohort study found that pregnancy-associated cancers had increased overall 5-year mortality, though not all cancer sites presented the same risk.

Dietary omega-3 fatty acids and endometrial cancer risk in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium: An individual-participant meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Limited data from prospective studies suggest that higher dietary intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn3PUFA), which hold anti-inflammatory properties, may reduce endometrial cancer risk; particularly among certain subgroups characterized by body mass and tumor pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 12 prospective cohort studies participating in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium were harmonized as nested case-control studies, including 7268 endometrial cancer cases and 26,133 controls. Habitual diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaire, from which fatty acid intakes were estimated. Two-stage individual-participant data mixed effects meta-analysis estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) through logistic regression for associations between study-specific energy-adjusted quartiles of LCn3PUFA and endometrial cancer risk. RESULTS: Women with the highest versus lowest estimated dietary intakes of docosahexaenoic acid, the most abundant LCn3PUFA in diet, had a 9% increased endometrial cancer risk (Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1: OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.19; P trend = 0.04). Similar elevated risks were observed for the summary measure of total LCn3PUFA (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 0.99-1.16; P trend = 0.06). Stratified by body mass index, higher intakes of LCn3PUFA were associated with 12-19% increased endometrial cancer risk among overweight/obese women and no increased risk among normal-weight women. Higher associations appeared restricted to White women. The results did not differ by cancer grade. CONCLUSION: Higher dietary intakes of LCn3PUFA are unlikely to reduce endometrial cancer incidence; rather, they may be associated with small to moderate increases in risk in some subgroups of women, particularly overweight/obese women.

Self-reported sleep quality and exercise in polycystic ovary syndrome: A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the proportion of participants with poor sleep quality, evaluate the associations between sleep quality and anthropometric and cardiometabolic health markers, and evaluate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous aerobic exercise training (CAET) on sleep quality in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS: Women with PCOS aged 18-40 years. MEASUREMENTS: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was measured at baseline and following a 6-month exercise intervention. A PSQI score >5 indicates poor sleep. Linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between PSQI score and anthropometric and cardiometabolic health markers, and the effect of exercise training on these associations. RESULTS: Thirty-four participants completed the PSQI at baseline, and 29 postintervention: no-exercise control (n = 9), HIIT (n = 12) and CAET (n = 8). At baseline, 79% had poor sleep quality. Baseline PSQI score was positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, body weight, haemoglobin A1c and insulin resistance. Mean PSQI score changes were -0.4 (SD 1.1), -0.7 (SD 0.6) and -0.5 (SD 0.9) for control, HIIT and CAET, respectively. For HIIT participants, change in PSQI score was associated with changes in body weight (B = .27, 95% CI 0.10-0.45) and waist circumference (B = .09, 95% CI 0.02-0.17). CONCLUSION: Most participants had poor sleep quality which was associated with poorer anthropometric and cardiometabolic health markers. There were no statistically significant changes in PSQI score with exercise training. With HIIT training, decreases in the sleep efficiency score were associated with reductions in body weight and waist circumference. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of exercise training on sleep quality.

Risk prediction models for endometrial cancer: development and validation in an international consortium.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer risk stratification may help target interventions, screening, or prophylactic hysterectomy to mitigate the rising burden of this cancer. However, existing prediction models have been developed in select cohorts and have not considered genetic factors. METHODS: We developed endometrial cancer risk prediction models using data on postmenopausal White women aged 45-85 years from 19 case-control studies in the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium (E2C2). Relative risk estimates for predictors were combined with age-specific endometrial cancer incidence rates and estimates for the underlying risk factor distribution. We externally validated the models in 3 cohorts: Nurses' Health Study (NHS), NHS II, and the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. RESULTS: Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the epidemiologic model ranged from 0.64 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62 to 0.67) to 0.69 (95% CI = 0.66 to 0.72). Improvements in discrimination from the addition of genetic factors were modest (no change in area under the receiver operating characteristic curves in NHS; PLCO = 0.64 to 0.66). The epidemiologic model was well calibrated in NHS II (overall expected-to-observed ratio [E/O] = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.22) and PLCO (overall E/O = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.95 to 1.13) but poorly calibrated in NHS (overall E/O = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.51 to 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Using data from the largest, most heterogeneous study population to date (to our knowledge), prediction models based on epidemiologic factors alone successfully identified women at high risk of endometrial cancer. Genetic factors offered limited improvements in discrimination. Further work is needed to refine this tool for clinical or public health practice and expand these models to multiethnic populations.