Association between solid fuel exposure and cancer risk among middle-aged and elderly adults with different physical activity levels
10.19428/j.cnki.sjpm.2025.250245
- VernacularTitle:不同体力活动程度的中老年人群固体燃料暴露与癌症风险关联
- Author:
Zihan ZHANG
1
;
Jiayi ZHAO
2
;
Guangwen CAO
2
Author Information
1. School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
2. Department of Epidemiology, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
solid fuel;
cancer risk;
physical activity;
mediation effect;
hemoglobin
- From:
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine
2025;37(10):842-847
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo determine the association between solid fuel exposure and cancer risk among middle-aged and elderly adults in China, to investigate the underlying biological pathways through selected serological markers, and to examine whether adequate physical activity can mitigate this risk by modulating these pathways. MethodsBased on baseline characteristics, health status indicators and hematological data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011‒2018), multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between solid fuel use and cancer risk, with stratified analyses conducted by physical activity levels. In addition, mediation analyses were performed to evaluate the role of serological markers including hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in the association between solid fuel use and cancer incidence. ResultsSolid fuel use was significantly associated with an increased cancer risk (OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.113‒1.615). This association remained significant among individuals with low levels of physical activity ( OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.067‒1.673 ), but not statistically significant among those with adequate physical activity. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit showed a negative mediating effect between solid fuel use and cancer incidence, and this effect was stronger among those with low levels of physical activity. ConclusionIndoor solid fuel use represents an important environmental risk factor for cancer incidence in China’s middle-aged and elderly population, while regular physical activity may reduce carcinogenic risk through modulation of inflammatory levels and hematological indicators such as hemoglobin and hematocrit. Public health strategies should integrate clean energy promotion with exercise interventions to mitigate the cancer burden associated with solid fuel pollution.
