Childhood cancer survivors face an increased risk of late effects from cancer treatment. Physical activity may modify the risk of common late effects, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Aims: The main aims of this ph.d. project were I) to describe levels of physical activity and sedentary time in young childhood cancer survivors, II-III) to compare CVD risk factors in survivors with an international reference material, and with age- and sex-matched controls, and III) to examine the associations between physical activity and different domains of fitness (cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness) with CVD risk factors in survivors and controls.
Design and participants: This ph.d. project was based on cross-sectional data from work packages 1 and 2 of the international, multicenter Physical Activity in Childhood Cancer Survivors (PACCS) study. Participants aged 9-16 years with any previous cancer diagnosis who had completed cancer treatment ≥ 1 year ago were qualified to participate in the first work package. Participants from 9-18 years who were able to perform a VO2-max-test were further invited to work package 2, together with controls matched on age and sex.
Methods: Single CVD risk factors were assessed based on cardiorespiratory fitness (Paper II only), adiposity (body mass index (BMI) or android fat mass), systolic blood pressure (SBP), ratio of total-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (Total/HDL-cholesterol), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c, Paper III only). Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed by accelerometry, cardiorespiratory fitness by VO2-max-test, and musculoskeletal fitness by maximal isometric strength tests.
Program
- 10:15-11:00: Trial lecture
- 13:00-16:00: Defense of the thesis: "Physical activity, physical fitness, and risk of cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors"
The defense is open to everyone and will be streamed on NIH's YouTube channel.