AS AN ONCOLOGIST, I REGULARLY MEET WONDERFUL individuals who have cancer. In recent years, scientific evidence has indicated a strong association between regular exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and reduced cancer risk. Today we look at fitness vs. cancer. A new Swedish study on cardio fitness and cancer reports that:
A man’s cardio fitness might influence whether he’ll develop — or survive — three of the most common cancers.
Regular physical activity is vital in reducing the risk of various cancer types in men.
Several studies have shown a consistent association between exercise and a decreased likelihood of developing certain cancers, including colorectal, lung, prostate, and bladder.
This essay explores the link between staying fit and lowering cancer risk in men, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms and highlighting key lifestyle factors contributing to this beneficial relationship.
Weight and Cancer Risk in Men
Maintaining a healthy body weight is another crucial aspect of staying fit that can significantly impact cancer risk in men. According to research from the American Cancer Society:
Excess body weight is thought to be responsible for about one out of nine cancers in women and about one in 20 cancers in men; in addition, being overweight or obese is a causal factor in seven percent of all cancer deaths.
Being overweight or obese is associated with an increased risk of many cancer types, including:
- Breast cancer (in women past menopause)
- Colon and rectal cancer
- Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus)
- Esophagus cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreas cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Meningioma (a tumor of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
Being overweight or obese may also elevate the risk of other cancers, such as:
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Male breast cancer
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box
- Aggressive and fatal forms of prostate cancer
Obesity and Cancer
Being overweight or having obesity increases your risk of getting cancer.www.cdc.gov
Exercise
Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help men achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reducing their risk of these cancers.
Furthermore, exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in men.
Men who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who lead sedentary lifestyles.
One study found men who exercise the equivalent of only one to three hours of walking each week have an 86 percent lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Additional research demonstrated that three or more hours of vigorous exercise lowered the risk of prostate cancer death by over half (61 percent).
Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and helps regulate sex hormone levels, which may contribute to the protective effect against prostate cancer.
New Study on Fitness and Cancer Risk
Now we have more evidence. A new Swedish study finds that a man’s cardio fitness influences whether he develops — or survives — three of the most common cancers in males.
Here are the results:
Higher levels of cardio fitness appeared linked with a significantly lower risk of developing colon, lung, and prostate cancers.
For the study, the researchers analyzed data from almost 178,000 Swedish men. All had an occupational health assessment between 1982 and 2019.
The assessment included an exercise bike test to evaluate cardio health. Doctors tracked blood oxygen levels during the activity.
The study investigators then tracked the men’s health using Swedish health registries, checking to see which men developed cancer.
Results In More Detail
There appeared to be a strong dose-response association between cardio fitness and a lower risk of developing (or dying from) certain cancers.
Put more clearly, the better a man’s fitness, the lower their cancer risk. Here are the findings:
As you can see from the chart, moderate and high cardio fitness levels appeared to be associated with drops in colon cancer incidence by 28 and 37 percent, respectively.
The same pattern holds for prostate cancer death, with risk dropping by 43 and 71 percent with moderate and high activity, respectively.
Finally, the risk of dying from lung cancer is lower by more than half (59 percent) for those getting high levels of activity.
In summary, cardiorespiratory fitness is important in reducing the risk of developing (and dying from) certain cancers in men.
Key points —Fitness vs. Cancer
Questions. Is physical activity associated with a lower risk of getting (or dying from ) cancer?
Findings. Yes. The current study adds to a robust body of studies supporting the contention that physical activity lowers (but does not eliminate) cancer risk.
The study is unusual in that so many men received a “gold-standard test” of cardio fitness and doctor-measured reports of height and weight.
Meaning. Just move. All right, I am being a bit terse. Move, eat well, watch your weight, get adequate sleep, engage in mindfulness, and watch the vices (tobacco and excess alcohol). Finally, don’t forget to get sufficient sleep.
Speaking with US News, Dr. Nicholas Rohs, a thoracic oncologist at Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center (New York City), offers this take:
“People tend to have less inflammation and better blood sugar levels if their cardio fitness is better. They also are leaner and can have lower cholesterol levels. He explains that “these things place stress on our cellular systems, and the more stress we have on our body, the more likely cancer is to occur.”
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for reading “Fitness vs. Cancer.”
