Lifetime physical activity and cancer incidence—A cohort study of male former elite athletes in Finland

Abstract Objectives Physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of certain cancers. Objective of this study was to assess the effect of physical activity on cancer incidence in former male athletes in older age. Design A cohort of 2448 elite male athletes and 1712 referents was followed-up for cancer incidence during 1986–2010 through the Finnish Cancer Registry. Methods Standardised incidence ratios were calculated with the general male population as the reference. Self-reported questionnaire-based data on covariates were used in Cox regression analyses comparing the risk of cancer in athletes and referents. Results The overall cancer incidence was lower in athletes than in the g…