Methodological examination of the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Score

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the impact of methodological changes to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Score on associations with risk for all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cancer risk jointly among older adults in the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-AARP Diet and Health Study. Weights were incorporated for each score component; a continuous point scale was developed in place of the score’s fully discrete cut points; and cut-point values were changed for physical activity and red meat based on evidence-based recommendations. Exploratory aims also examined the impact of separating components with more than one subcomponent and whether all components were necessary to retain within this population utilizing a penalized scoring approach. Findings suggested weighting the original 2018 WCRF/AICR Score improved its predictive performance in association with all-cause mortality and provided more precise estimates in relation to cancer risk and mortality outcomes. The importance of healthy weight, physical activity, and plant-based foods in relation to cancer and overall mortality risk were highlighted in this population of older adults. Further studies are needed to better understand the consistency and generalizability of these findings across other populations.