Exercise Reduces Mortality Risk in Various Cancer Types: New Studies

The Impact of Exercise on Cancer Outcomes

A new study suggests that exercise can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality across various cancer types, including prostate cancer. This study adds to existing evidence that emphasizes the positive impact of exercise on cancer outcomes. By analyzing several pieces of research, we can gain a better understanding of these findings and their implications for cancer patients and survivors. #MedTwitter

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Prostate Cancer

In a large Swedish study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, it was found that men with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) who increased their CRF by more than 3% had a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer incidence. This study was conducted on a cohort of almost 58,000 men. While the lack of mortality significance might be due to the relatively few deaths from prostate cancer in the cohort, the study still underscores the importance of increasing CRF or reaching moderate fitness levels. In fact, an increase in absolute CRF was associated with a reduced incidence risk, with a hazard ratio of 0.98. This suggests that even small improvements in fitness can have a significant impact on cancer risk.

Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Survival

A study conducted on female registered nurses diagnosed with stage I, II, or III breast cancer between 1984 and 1998 showed that physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis may reduce the risk of death from this disease. Women who engaged in more physical activity showed a decreased relative risk of death from breast cancer. The greatest benefit of physical activity was observed in women with hormone responsive tumors. Following US physical activity recommendations may improve survival for women with breast cancer.

Fitness Improvement and Prostate Cancer Risk

Another compelling study found that an increase in annual cardiorespiratory fitness by 3% or more is linked to a 35% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. This study, which tracked 57,652 Swedish men over nearly 7 years, emphasized that improvements in fitness should be encouraged to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. During the study period, 592 were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 46 died of the disease.

Exercise and All-Cause Mortality Risk

A study published in the International Journal of Cardiology found that physical activity is associated with a significantly diminished risk of death by cardiovascular disease. The study, which used data from the UK Biobank and wearable accelerometers to categorize participants into five distinct exercise groups, found that even moderate activity was associated with a lower risk of mortality. Greater amounts of activity, regardless of timing, were correlated with decreasing risk. The authors concluded that getting a sufficient amount of exercise on a regular basis is strongly correlated with reduced mortality from all causes and from cardiovascular disease.

E-Health Interventions and Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors

A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify whether E-health interventions effectively improve physical activity in cancer survivors. The results showed that E-health interventions improved moderate to vigorous physical activity among cancer survivors. This study highlighted the importance of engaging in regular physical activity for optimizing health outcomes, treatment effectiveness, and quality of life while also reducing the risk of mortality and recurrence in cancer survivors. Further investigation is needed to explore the long-term effects of E-health interventions on physical activity. This reinforces the significance of exercise and fitness as crucial components in the battle against cancer.