Regular Exercise Linked to Fewer Cancer Cases
8/17/2022
Only five hours a week of moderate exercise could help ward off a cancer diagnosis. A study published by Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, found strong evidence correlating physical activity to lower rates of cancer and other chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke and dementia.
Self-reported data from 600,000 American adults estimates over 46,000 cancer cases could be avoided each year through regular physical activity. The study found lower rates of stomach, breast and colon cancer in Americans 30 years of age or older who exercised five hours each week.
“Making regular physical activity a part of your everyday life can mean immediate and lasting benefits to your overall health,” says Patrick Ouzts, M.D., CAQSM, who specializes in family medicine and sports medicine at Northwest Primary Care at Houghton.
“Exercise as simple as brisk walking, biking or even cleaning the house can help improve your health and decrease the chances of developing a chronic condition like cancer.”
The National Cancer Institute also reports strong evidence linking high levels of physical activity to lowered cancer risk. Exercise can help improve the immune system and prevent obesity and high blood levels of insulin, which are risk factors for cancer.
In addition to exercise, other lifestyle changes can help prevent cancer. For example, not smoking – and avoiding secondhand tobacco smoke – greatly reduces your risk of developing lung or throat cancer. Limiting alcohol to one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men helps you avoid liver and kidney cancer. Finally, for those of us who live in sunny climates, it’s important to avoid the ultraviolet rays linked to skin cancer. Remember to wear sunscreen outside and cover exposed skin with clothing, hats and sunglasses.
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