New study suggests exercise could prevent certain types of cancer

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NEW YORK, Jan 6: In a groundbreaking new study, researchers have uncovered a significant association between regular exercise and a decreased risk of developing specific types of cancers, including those affecting the head, neck, and lungs. Moreover, individuals diagnosed with cancer who engaged in regular exercise were found to have a longer life expectancy compared to their non-exercising counterparts.

The study, led by exercise scientist Lee Jones from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, aimed to address previous research limitations that made it challenging to pinpoint the precise benefits of exercise about cancer risk. To overcome these shortcomings, Jones and his team analyzed data from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening study—a large, randomized trial that monitored health outcomes in over 60,000 participants aged 55 to 74 with no prior history of cancer.

“We were fortunate to identify a robust dataset that addresses several of the prior limitations—this enabled a robust analysis of whether exercise reduced the risk of cancer in general, and then for certain cancer types, as well as long-term survival,” explained Jones.

Participants in the study were initially surveyed about their exercise habits, and researchers followed them for more than a decade, documenting diagnosed cancer cases and overall mortality. The results revealed that regular exercisers had a slightly reduced risk of developing cancer overall compared to non-exercisers. Notably, the risk reduction was more pronounced for head and neck, breast, and lung cancers. Conversely, there was no discernible link between exercise and a decreased risk of colorectal and ovarian cancer. The study also suggested a possible higher risk associated with exercise for melanoma and prostate cancer.

The findings, published in the journal Cancer Cell on Thursday, are based on observational data and cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship between exercise and cancer. Nevertheless, Jones emphasized that the results offer a nuanced perspective on how exercise impacts cancer risk. Even though the data couldn’t conclusively prove a link, individuals who exercised regularly and later developed cancer were less likely to die from any cause by the study’s end compared to non-exercisers.

Jones and his team, dedicated to exploring the influence of exercise on cancer risk and survival, plan to conduct further studies in animals and humans. These investigations will delve into how exercise may alter the biology of cells in specific organs like the breasts and colon. Additionally, the team aims to initiate clinical trials directly testing whether adhering to a specific exercise regimen can lower cancer risk.

While further research is needed, the current findings reinforce existing recommendations that regular exercise plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of certain cancers. Jones concluded, “Overall, we feel our findings strengthen the recommendation and endorsement of exercise as an important aspect of cancer prevention.”

This news has been read 1305 times!