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Cited by 31Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyGlobal Cancer Incidence and ScreeningNutritional Studies and Diet

Religion and reduced cancer risk – What is the explanation? A review

Hoff, Andreas, Johannessen-Henry, Christine Tind, Ross, Lone, Hvidt, Niels Christian, Johansen, Christoffer·2008·European Journal of Cancer
DOI 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.08.001
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Abstract

Several studies of members of Christian religious communities have shown significantly lower risks for certain cancers amongst members than in the general population. We identified 17 epidemiological studies of the risk for cancer amongst members of Christian communities published during the past 40 years. In the studies in which adjustment was made only for age and sex, reductions were observed in the risks for lifestyle-associated cancers, i.e. those associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity and reproductive factors. In the studies in which adjustment was also made for healthy habits, no reduction in risk for cancer was observed. We conclude that the most important factor in the correlation between membership in a religious Christian community and risk for cancer is the healthy lifestyle inherent in religious practice in these communities. The epidemiological studies reviewed did not, however, differentiate the effect on cancer risk of the meaning that a certain lifestyle can give to an individual.

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  • A review of 18 studies examining the risk for cancer in Christian and non-Christian samples concluded that lifestyle factors explained the reduced risk for cancer associated with a Christian affiliation.

    “A review of 18 studies examining the risk for cancer in Christian and non-Christian samples concluded that lifestyle factors explained the reduced risk for cancer associated with a Christian affiliation (Hoff et al., 2008).”

    From Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine (2017) · cites this paper as Hoff et al., 2008

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Authors
Hoff, A., Johannessen-Henry, C. T., Ross, L., Hvidt, N. C., & Johansen, C.
Affiliations
  • Danish Cancer Society (DK)
  • University of Southern Denmark (DK)
Corresponding author
Johansen, Christoffer
ORCID
Venue
European Journal of Cancer
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2008-11
Volume
44
Issue
17
Pages
2573-2579
ISSN
0959-8049 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ejca.2008.08.001
OpenAlex
W2085852714
Cited by
31
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
FWCI
0.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • European Journal of Cancer (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
Keywords
religion, cancer risk, Christian community, healthy lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, reproductive factors, religious practice, meaning of life
MeSH terms
Christianity, Humans, Life Style, Neoplasms, Risk Factors, Spirituality

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