The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Score and All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Risk: A Longitudinal Analysis in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study
Marissa Shams‐White, Nigel T. Brockton, Panagiota Mitrou, Lisa Kahle, Jill Reedy
Abstract
Background: The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) published Cancer Prevention Recommendations in 2018 focused on modifiable lifestyle factors. Objectives: The aim was to examine how adherence to WCRF/AICR recommendations via the 2018 WCRF/AICR score is associated with risk for all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality outcomes among older US adults. Methods: = 177,410) were used to calculate weight, physical activity, and diet components of the 2018 WCRF/AICR score (0-7 total points). Adjusted HRs and 95% CIs were estimated, stratified by sex and smoking status. Results: : 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.80) smokers; findings were not statistically significant in other strata. For CVD mortality, highest compared with lowest scores were associated with a 49-73% risk reduction, except in male never and current smokers. In exploratory analysis, physical activity, body weight, alcohol, and plant-based foods were found to be predominant components in the score. Conclusions: Greater 2018 WCRF/AICR scores were associated with lower mortality risk among older adults. Future research can explore how smoking modifies these relations, and further examine different populations and other cancer-relevant outcomes.