The association between neighborhood obesogenic factors and prostate cancer risk and mortality: the Southern Community Cohort Study

TL;DR

This study investigates how neighborhood factors like socioeconomic status and environment influence prostate cancer risk and mortality, revealing disparities based on race, BMI, and neighborhood walkability in a large US cohort.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into the association between neighborhood obesogenic factors and prostate cancer outcomes, stratified by race and BMI, using comprehensive cohort data.

Findings

Poorest neighborhood quintile linked to higher prostate cancer risk.

Restaurant environment index associated with increased risk in overweight White men.

Lack of recreational facilities correlates with higher risk among obese Black men.

Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among men in the U.S. We examined the role of neighborhood obesogenic attributes on prostate cancer risk and mortality in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS). From 34,166 SCCS male participants, 28,356 were included in the analysis. We assessed relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) and neighborhood obesogenic environment indices including restaurant environment index, retail food environment index, parks, recreational facilities, and businesses and prostate cancer risk and mortality by controlling for individual-level factors using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. We further stratified prostate cancer risk analysis by race and body mass index (BMI). Median follow-up time was 133 months, and mean age was 51.62 years. There were 1,524 (5.37%) prostate cancer diagnoses and 98 (6.43%) prostate cancer deaths during follow-up. Compared to participants residing in wealthiest quintile, those residing in the poorest quintile had a higher risk of prostate cancer, particularly among non-obese men with a BMI less than 30. The restaurant environment index was associated with a higher prostate cancer risk in overweight (BMI equal or greater 25) White men. Obese Black individuals without any neighborhood recreational facilities had a 42% higher risk compared to those with any access. Compared to residents in wealthiest quintile and most walkable area, those residing within the poorest quintile or the least walkable area had a higher risk of prostate cancer death.