Epidemiological Evidence for Prevention of Prostate Cancer through physical Activity

Background Earlier reviews yielded contradictory results for reducing the risk of prostate cancer by physical activity. Methods 32 Cohort studies and 17 case control studies taking the ones up to 2001 and the ones up to 2010 together. Additionally, subgroups from studies analyzing aggressive carcinomas and those after the age of 65 were presented separately. Results In the mean, no risk reduction was found in earlier and in studies from the last 8 years with mostly imprecisely measured activity. In 7 studies with subgroups on aggressive forms a positive dose response relationship was documented, being significant in 3 studies. The subgroup over 65 years with high amount of physical activity yielded a significant effect in 3 studies. Conclusions Physical activity in leisure and in work fails to be protective but substantial evidence exists for an effective prevention by intensive physical activity.