The Power of Exercise: Lower Your Weight and Possibly Your Risk for 13 Cancers

Here’s something to remember the next time you feel like skipping your morning run or workout – your exercise routine may be cutting your risk for 13 different types of cancer.

And, even more motivating is the possibility that the more you exercise, the lower your risk may drop.

It doesn’t matter if you’re overweight, obese or have a history of smoking, exercising at least 150 minutes per week appears to significantly cut the risk for 13 cancers – including some of the most difficult forms to treat, according research published by JAMA Internal Medicine. (It should be noted that while the study found an association between exercise and reduced cancer risk, it does not prove that exercise lowers the risk.)

“For years, we’ve had substantial evidence supporting a role for physical activity in three leading cancers: colon, breast, and endometrial cancers, which together account for nearly one in four cancers in the United States,” said Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., a co-author from the American Cancer Society in a news release. “This study linking physical activity to 10 additional cancers shows its impact may be even more relevant, and that physical activity has far reaching value for cancer prevention.”

Although many studies have looked at associations between physical activity and cancer risk, the results were inconclusive. This new study however, collected data on 1.4 million people between the ages of 19 and 98. Researchers followed them for more than 10 years.

Researchers discovered that in addition to colon, breast and endometrial cancers, regular exercise is also linked to a reduced risk of leukemia, myeloma and cancers of the esophagus, liver, kidney, stomach, endometrium, rectum, bladder and head or neck.

Exercise Benefits Go Beyond Weight Loss

“Leisure-time physical activity is known to reduce risks of heart disease and risk of death from all causes, and our study demonstrates that it is also associated with lower risks of many types of cancer,” said lead author Steven C. Moore, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the National Cancer Institute. “Furthermore, our results support that these associations are broadly generalizable to different populations, including people who are overweight or obese, or those with a history of smoking. Health care professionals counseling inactive adults should promote physical activity as a component of a healthy lifestyle and cancer prevention.”

Health authorities are hoping the study will encourage more people to exercise. Nearly half of the people in the United States do not exercise at a moderate intensity for 150 minutes – the standard recommendation for American adults. Moderate intensity would include activities like swimming, cycling or walking 1 mile within 20 minutes.

For those who plan on heading outdoors for their workout, wear sunscreen and cover up any exposed skin. The study also found that people who lived in regions of the U.S. with higher levels of solar UV radiation had a 27 percent higher risk of skin cancer – malignant melanoma.

+ Learn about the different physical therapy programs offered at Bon Secours In Motion Physical Therapy. We help patients regain their strength and mobility after surgery and illnesses.

+ Read about the importance of massage as part of a training program for runners. Bon Secours In Motion provides several types of massage therapy to help athletes release tight muscles and improve flexibility and mobility.