Leisure-time physical activity was linked with lower risks of many cancer types, according to pooled data from 12 prospective cohorts involving 1.44 million individuals.

All participants reported physical activity at baseline. Investigators looked at the link between such activity and incidence of 26 types of cancer. Among the results:

• Those with high levels of physical activity had lower cancer risk, as follows: esophageal adenocarcinoma, 42%, liver, 27%; lung, 26%; kidney, 23%; gastric cardia, 22%; endometrial, 21%; myeloid leukemia, 20%; myeloma, 17%; colon, 16%; head and neck, 15%; rectal, 13%, bladder, 13%, and breast, 10%.

• Adjusting for BMI diminished some of the associations, but 10 remained statistically significant.

• Physical activity was linked with higher cancer risk for malignant melanoma, 27%; and prostate cancer, 5%.

• Associations were similar between those who were overweight/obese and of normal-weight.

• Smoking status modified lung cancer link.

Citation: Moore S, Lee I, Weiderpass E, et al. Association of leisure-time physical activity with risk of 26 types of cancer in 1.44 million adults. [Published online ahead of print May 16, 2016]. JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.1548.