Prevent Cancer with Physical Activity
Cancer July 19th, 2010
A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology revealed that adults who are regularly active, whether through exercise or work, lower risks of cancer.
A study involving nearly 80,000 adult men and women in Japan showed that men and women who regularly active lower risks of various types of cancer. Having investigated further, regular exercise apparently associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancers.
They also found that the protective effect was strongest among men or women of normal weight.
This certainly supports the theory that physical activity can reduce cancer risk, at least partly through better weight control.
In that study, Dr. Manami Inoue and colleagues at the National Cancer Center in Tokyo analyzed the incidence of cancer in 79 771 male and female participants aged 45-74. Between 1995 and 1999 timeframe, these participants were surveyed about the level of physical activity they do, diet, and habits and their lifestyle. Researchers continue to follow this development until 2004, and found more than 4300 new cancer cases diagnosed.
In general, researchers say, the risk of developing any cancer dipped slightly as participants’ activity levels. On average, male participants’ physical activity most often 13 percent lower risk of cancer than the least active men physically. The most active women 16 percent lower risk of cancer than their counterparts who often just sat quietly working continuously.
The link held true when the researchers accounted for other factors such as age, weight, smoking habits, and intake of calories per day.
Physical activity was defined not only on leisure-time exercise, but also the amount of time participants typically spent walking, physical activity at work, and housework.
“Our results suggest that increased daily total physical activity (not just sports) may be beneficial in preventing the development of cancer in men and women in Japan,” said Inoue.
Researchers also noted that Japan’s population is on average thinner may be related to decreased risk of this cancer.
Thus we can conclude, physical activity may help prevent cancer, controlling body weight. “Theoretically, physical activity also has other positive effects in terms of delaying the occurrence of cancer,” said Inoue.
Inoue added, such as physical activity, can stimulate the immune system which is one of the body’s natural ability to fight cancer. It may also be related to levels of certain hormones, including sex hormones and other growth factors that can trigger the growth and spread of tumors.
