Even relatively low levels of physical activity before a cancer diagnosis may lower the risks of both disease progression and death, according to a new study.
Getting regular exercise before a cancer diagnosis may slow progression of the disease, a new study finds.
Researchers say even relatively low levels of exercise appear to slow cancer progression and reduce death risks.
Their study included more than 28,000 people with stage 1 cancer who had comprehensive physical activity data from the year preceding their diagnosis. Breast and prostate cancers were the most common among the participants.
According to the results, the odds of disease progression were 16% lower among those who engaged in low levels of physical activity before diagnosis and 27% lower in those who engaged in moderate to high levels of activity.
Low physical activity was defined as 60 or fewer minutes per week, and moderate to high was 60 minutes or more.
There were also significant survival benefits. Lower levels of physical activity reduced death risk by 33% and moderate-to-high levels reduced death risk by 47%.
The authors offer two possible explanations for these findings: physical activity strengthens immunity by increasing the number of natural killer cells in your body and it helps regulate hormones that drive breast and prostate cancers.
They say, “…The promotion of physical activity can yield important benefits regarding the progression of cancer as well as its prevention and management.”
Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine
Author Affiliations:University of the Witwatersrand
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