Estimating cancers attributable to physical inactivity in Australia

OBJECTIVES

It was previously estimated that 1814 (1.6 % of incident cancers) were attributable to physical inactivity in Australia in 2010, when only three sites were considered. We estimated the burden of cancer due to physical inactivity in Australia for 13 sites.

DESIGN

The population attributable fraction estimated site-specific cancer cases attributable to physical inactivity for 13 cancers. The potential impact fraction was used to estimate cancers that could have been prevented in 2015 if Australian adults had increased their physical activity by a modest amount in 2004-05.

METHODS

We used 2004-05 national physical activity prevalence data, 2015 national cancer incidence data, and contemporary relative-risk estimates for physical inactivity and cancer. We assumed a 10-year latency period.

RESULTS

An estimated 6361 of the cancers observed in 2015 were attributable to physical inactivity, representing 4.8 % of all cancers diagnosed. If Australian adults had increased their physical activity by one category in 2004-05, 2564 cases (1.9 % of all cancers) could have been prevented in 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

More than three times as many cancers are attributable to physical inactivity than previously reported. Physical activity promotion should be a central component of cancer prevention programmes in Australia.

The incidence of inflatable rescue boat injuries in Queensland surf lifesavers

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the current incidence of serious injuries in Queensland surf lifesavers related to inflatable rescue boat (IRB) use, and to describe the nature of the injuries.

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

The 3050 members of Queensland's 57 surf life saving clubs who drove or crewed an IRB in Queensland between July 1997 and June 1998.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of serious IRB-related injuries that resulted in claims for workers compensation in 1997-1998, and type and anatomical location of injury.

RESULTS

Thirty-six IRB-related injuries were lodged with WorkCover Queensland by surf lifesavers during 1997-1998, giving an estimated crude incidence of 1.2%. Sixty-one per cent of injuries affected the right side of the body; two-thirds of these involved the knee, leg and ankle. IRB injuries occurred most often during patrol duty (39% of cases) and it was usually the crewperson (86% of cases) who was injured. Fracture and fracture-dislocations constituted a third of the injuries, with 75% occurring in the right leg and ankle.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the known incomplete reporting of these injuries, our findings suggest that IRB-related injury caused substantial morbidity among volunteer surf lifesavers. The pattern of injuries suggests biomechanically preventable causes.