Higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity can lessen the risk of developing 13 types of cancer, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
While many studies have previously linked physical activity to reduced risk for colon, breast and endometrial cancers, results have been inconclusive for most types of cancer due to the small sample sizes. For this study, researchers compiled comprehensive data on 1.44 million patients from both Europe and the U.S., ranging in age from 19 to 98. An extensive range of cancers appeared in the study. Participants were followed for 11 years on average, encompassing 187,000 cases of new cancer.
In addition to risk reductions for colon, breast and endometrial cancers, researchers found that physical activity was also linked to a decreased risk for 10 other cancers. The greatest measurable reduction in risk in the additional 10 was found in esophageal adenocarcinoma, liver cancer, cancer of the gastric cardia, kidney cancer and myeloid leukemia. While significant decreases in risk also occurred in cancers of the head and neck, rectum and bladder, results suggesting risk reduction for these types of cancer weren't as strong.
Researchers also found that rates of reduction in cancer risk changed little after adjusting for body mass index, which suggests exercise influences cancer risk reduction in ways outside of simply combating obesity.
Alpa V. Patel, PhD, a study co-author from the American Cancer Society, said, "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...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."
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