The Relationship Between Exercise and Cancer

People today work at an increasing pace amid life's complexity and difficulties, with less time for themselves and health. Yet physical activity is essential for healthy living. Even a busy working day involves passive bodily movements. These lack regular rhythm or pace and, although tiring, do not replace necessary physical activity. Over time this leads to irregular meals, disrupted bowel habits, unhealthy food intake and unhealthy living. Numerous studies prove regular exercise reduces cancer risk. It lowers insulin and insulin-related proteins that cause harmful effects, controls estrogen in women and prevents prolonged intestinal transit, particularly reducing bowel cancer risk. Increased insulin and related proteins stimulate cells and uncontrolled proliferation, predisposing to cancer. Regular exercise after a cancer diagnosis also has many proven benefits.

Reduced physical activity slows bowel movements, allowing unwanted carcinogens in stool to contact the intestinal surface and initiate cancer development. Fat tissue is women's main estrogen source particularly after menopause. Disproportionate fat gain raises hormones, increasing breast and uterine cancer risk in women and prostate cancer risk in men.

Given these reasons, daily exercise as health permits may protect against many cancers, especially prostate and colon. Your body is not programmed for inactivity. Any activity benefits you and helps maintain healthy weight. Your doctor can help determine suitable exercises, duration and frequency according to age and health.

Adults generally should perform at least 150 minutes of light or 75 minutes of strenuous exercise weekly, or an equivalent program spread across days. Children and adults should do at least 1 hour of light or vigorous exercise daily. Those choosing vigorous exercise should continue at least 3 days weekly. Limit sedentary activities such as sitting, lying down, television and computer use. Even small amounts help. Limit children's television and computer time and encourage regular exercise to keep them healthy and energetic and prevent excess weight.