Physical Activity, Obesity and Risk for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Over the past three decades, an increasing incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EADC) has been reported throughout North America and Europe at a rate exceeding that of any other human solid tumor. Recent studies have clearly implicated chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and several lifestyle risk factors, including tobacco consumption, diet and obesity, to be associated with increased risk of EADC. Although physical inactivity is now recognized as a risk factor for several chronic diseases including cancer, only a very limited number of studies have specifically evaluated the association between physical activity and esophageal malignancy. Furthermore, the precise biological mechanisms underlying the association between physical activity, obesity and cancer risk remain unclear. Since successful promotion of healthy body weight and exercise may substantially reduce the future incidence of cancer in the population, the purpose of this review is to explore current evidence linking physical activity, obesity and risk of malignancy – specifically EADC.

Keywords:

• adenocarcinoma
• Barrett’s esophagus
• esophagus
• obesity
• physical activity

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Alan G Casson is currently supported by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation. Neither Lloyd Balbuena or Alan G Casson have any commercial financial disclosures or conflicts of interest. All participants in the NSBES (molecular mechanisms and lifestyle risk factor interactions in the pathogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Principal Investigator, Alan G Casson) gave informed, written consent. Approval for this study was granted by the Capital Health Research Ethics Board (QE-2000-277), which was funded by the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (N419) and by the National Cancer Institute of Canada with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society (14676). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

Alan G Casson is currently supported by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation. Neither Lloyd Balbuena or Alan G Casson have any commercial financial disclosures or conflicts of interest. All participants in the NSBES (molecular mechanisms and lifestyle risk factor interactions in the pathogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Principal Investigator, Alan G Casson) gave informed, written consent. Approval for this study was granted by the Capital Health Research Ethics Board (QE-2000-277), which was funded by the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (N419) and by the National Cancer Institute of Canada with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society (14676). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.