A new study finds people who are physically active after a cancer diagnosis lower their risk of death significantly.
Exercising is often a struggle for cancer patients, but the results can be life-saving, a new study finds.
Researchers say people who are physically active after a cancer diagnosis increase their odds of survival.
The researchers reviewed data from nearly 91,000 cancer survivors who were about 67 years of age. More than 45,000 died during 11 years of monitoring.
The data included reports on how much moderate-to-vigorous physical activity the participants got after being diagnosed.
Overall, engaging in some physical activity lowered the risk of death by about 29% on average, according to the results. And getting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise lowered the risk even more — by 42%.
The benefit was also different based on cancer type. For example, those who met current exercise guidelines lowered their risk of dying from:
· Oral cancer by 56%.
· Endometrial cancer by 50%
· Lung cancer by 49%
· Prostate cancer by 40%
· Colon cancer by 39%
· Breast cancer by 33%
The lead investigator says these findings provide “more critical evidence that being physically active after a cancer diagnosis can bring a meaningful impact on your likelihood of survival.”
Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Author Affiliations: American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
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