Physical Activity Reduces Risk of Cancer and Its Spread

Physical Activity Reduces Risk of Cancer and Its Spread
150 minutes of moderately brisk walking a week can protect us from cancer and its spread! Cancer is the second leading cause of death after heart disease among all deaths. General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Salim Balin gave information about the subject.

According to new research published in the November 15, 2022 issue of Cancer Research, aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of metastatic cancer by 72 percent. The study is the first to investigate the effect of exercise on internal organs where metastases often develop, such as the lungs, liver and lymph nodes.

The findings showed that high-intensity aerobic exercise, which gets its energy from sugar, can reduce the risk of metastatic cancer. If the general message to the public so far has been 'be active, be healthy', it has now revealed how aerobic activity can maximize the prevention of the most aggressive and metastatic forms of cancer.

The study involved both mice and humans - mice trained under a strict exercise regimen and healthy human volunteers were studied before and after jogging.

The human data also came from an epidemiological study that followed 2,734 people for 20 years - during which time 243 new cases of cancer were recorded. The researchers found that there were 72 percent fewer people with metastatic cancer who reported exercising regularly compared to those who did not engage in physical exercise.

Another study also has data showing that exercise will reduce the risk of death from breast cancer by 46 to 50 percent and reduce the risk of recurrence by 31 to 50 percent.

Clinically, it is suggested that exercise may have an antitumor effect through regulation of the metabolic profile by improving the body's insulin sensitivity, thus contributing to glucose homeostasis, lowering steroid hormone levels, strengthening the immune system and helping us to resist cancer.

Cancer is not one disease, but the result of many diseases. Each requires its own specialized care and specific treatment strategy. But there is one thing about cancer that is easy to understand: It is much better not to get cancer in the first place. Op. Dr. Salim Balin ,'','''How do we do that? By avoiding risks. We can start by keeping everything that causes cancer out of our lives. The most important of these is smoking. It is the primary cause of lung cancer and more than a dozen other cancers. And there are other causes: unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol and sun exposure among others. By knowing the risk factors and avoiding them, you can help prevent cancer.