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Jan. 3-9, 2004 Listen to the message
Exercise and Cancer Prevention
Have you made your New Year’s resolution? I know I have. And if you’re like me, exercising is at the top of the list.
You know exercise doesn’t just help you fit into those old clothes from college, it also does wonders for your health.
Most of us have heard that exercise helps us lower our risk of developing many common health problems: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes. But did you know that consistent exercise can have major positive effects on your chance of developing cancer?
Physically active women can reduce their chance of developing breast cancer by one third. And exercise can reduce the risk of developing colon, kidney, and esophageal cancer too.
So start on your New Year’s resolution today: Take 30 minutes and go for a run, brisk walk, or jog. It’ll help you fit into those old clothes, and it could save your life!
Exercise and Cancer Prevention
Exercise may lower your risk of developing breast cancer. There are a number of research studies that link exercise and breast cancer prevention. Although not all study results indicate that exercise helps prevent cancer, the general conclusion is that increasing your level of physical activity provides some protection against developing breast cancer.
Exercise has also been shown to lower risks for other cancers such as colon, prostate, and endometrial cancer. Most of the studies suggest that the higher your level of physical activity, the greater the benefit of protecting yourself against developing cancer.
How Exercise May Help Prevent Cancer
We don’t know exactly how exercise prevents cancer, but one theory focuses on the production of estrogen in overweight women. Estrogen has been linked to the development of breast cancer. After menopause, most of a woman’s estrogen is produced by the fat in her body. In fact, almost 80 percent of breast cancer incidents occur in women after menopause. Being overweight or obese causes a rise in estrogen production. Exercise can help a woman lose fat, which causes her body to lower the amount of estrogen produced.
Physical activity may also help to lower the risk of colon cancer by improving bowel function. Regular bowel movements prevent potentially cancerous toxins from remaining in the body for too long.
Exercise may also improve the immune system, which may lower the risk of colon cancer.
How Much Exercise is Needed?
Most doctors and researchers recommend 30 minutes of moderate activity per day, five or more days per week. Moderate activity can include walking, using a stationary bike or stair-climbing machine, light calisthenics, weight lifting, dancing, or general home exercises. Remember that you don’t have to start exercising 30 minutes per day; it is a goal that you want to work toward.
For tips on getting started and choosing an activity, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) has an excellent web site.
Exercise and Cancer Prevention Resources
Visit the following web sites to learn more. Type “Exercise and Cancer Prevention” in each site’s search box for detailed information and reviews of research studies.
- National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
- American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: www.komen.org
