Regular physical activity helps keep your body in good shape and combat many health conditions. One of the many benefits of exercise is cancer risk reduction. A study by medical experts revealed that regular exercise lowers the risk of 13 types of cancer. Staying physically active decreases cancer risks by shedding weight, regulating hormonal levels, and reducing inflammation.
Does Exercise Lower Risks of 13 Types of Cancer?
Initially, the link between physical activity and reduced cancer risk was proven for colon, breast, and endometrial cancers.
A new study suggests that leisure-time exercise significantly decreases the risk of ten more cancer types. Of these, risk reduction is more significant for esophageal cancer (42%), liver cancer (27%), lung cancer (26%), kidney cancer (23%), stomach cancer (22%), and myeloid leukemia (20%).
Exercise also lowers the risk of myeloma, head and neck cancer, rectal cancer, and bladder cancer.
How Does Exercise Reduce the Risks of Cancer?
Here are some of the ways by which exercise can lower risks of 13 types of cancer:
Exercise Helps Maintain Weight
Research has established a link between body weight and cancer risk. Medical experts revealed that obesity or being overweight increases the overall risks of cancer. The relationship is more substantial for certain cancers, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer.
Weight management is, therefore, crucial in reducing your risk. One of the ways to maintain a healthy weight is through regular exercise. Doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week can help you lose weight effectively. Cardiovascular exercise is proven to be very useful in weight loss.
Physical Activity Regulates Hormone Levels
Staying physically active affects the levels of certain hormones in the body. Some examples of these hormones are estrogen and insulin. Cancer starts when abnormal cells multiply excessively. Breast cancer cells, for example, attach to estrogen and progesterone, helping them grow quickly.
Exercising can reduce certain hormones in the body. Similarly, physical activity lowers the levels of insulin. As a result, the risks of breast cancer and endometrial cancer are reduced.
Exercise Lowers Inflammation
According to studies, the inflammation affects the development and progression of certain types of cancer. Inflammation is the body’s response to injured tissue and is generally a normal occurrence. However, chronic inflammation may cause DNA damage, which may eventually lead to cancer. For example, cancer risks are higher in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Many cancer treatments and cancer prevention strategies involve the reduction of inflammation in the body. The lack of physical activity may lead to excess body fat, which increases inflammation. Because regular exercise can address this problem, staying physically active can lower inflammation and risk of cancers.
Medical Weight Loss and Internal Medicine in South Carolina
Regular exercise has many beneficial effects on our health, including cancer prevention. It is essential to discuss your weight management needs and lifestyle with a trusted health care provider.
At SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation, we specialize in internal medicine and deliver state-of-the-art services for our patients. For your weight loss needs, our Center for Medical Weight Loss can help you create a comprehensive medical weight loss program. Our providers commit to building a meaningful and long-term relationship to provide you with lifelong supportive care.
Are you looking for a patient-centered health care provider? You may contact us at (803) 749-1111, or you may also request an appointment online. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
