Sport and exercise can help prevent cancer. A new study shows how a certain sport reduces the risk of cancer.
Frankfurt – Exercise keeps you fit and healthy. Numerous studies have scientifically proven that physical activity can help prevent diseases. According to an American study, Sport even prolong life. The risk of some types of cancer is also reduced in physically active people.
As the German Cancer Aid informed, six percent of all cancer cases can be avoided by sufficient physical activity. Sport and exercise can protect against the following types of cancer in particular:
- colon cancer
- Breast cancer (after menopause)
- uterine body cancer
- bladder cancer
- esophageal cancer
- stomach cancer
- kidney cancer
However, prolonged sitting can increase the risk of some types of cancer, regardless of activity level. Experts assume that around nine percent of all breast cancer cases and ten percent of all colorectal cancer cases in Europe are due to insufficient exercise.
Preventing cancer with endurance sports: has a positive effect
Regular, moderate endurance training such as walking, walking, cycling or jogging promotes health and is considered one of the most effective methods of staying physically fit, reducing stress and preventing chronic diseases. According to the German Cancer Society Endurance training has a positive effect on organs, hormone and nervous systems as well as the cardiovascular system. It not only protects against overweight, Diabetes, and muscle and bone loss – the psyche also benefits from it. Sport also has demonstrably positive effects Influences on depression and can help prevent them. Researchers have now discovered that endurance training can significantly reduce the risk of cancer and the progression of an existing disease.
Like researchers now in a two-part study found out, endurance sports have a positive effect on cancer risk, especially on the spread of metastases. It is the first study in the world to examine the influence of physical activity on the internal organs. Because straight metastases take place there. The cancer cells spread in the body from the place of origin and affect other organs such as the lungs, liver or lymph nodes. For the study, scientists from Tel Aviv University conducted experiments on mice.
The second part of the study analyzed data from 3,000 people who had been followed for over 20 years. The analysis showed that physical activity has a small impact on the occurrence of early-stage cancer. However, it turned out that the probability of advanced cancer with well-developed metastases decreases significantly in people who are physically active. The results of the study were published in the journal Cancer Research.
According to the researchers, endurance activities such as brisk walking, running, swimming or cycling increase the glucose consumption of the internal organs. According to study leader Professor Carmit Levy, this reduces the availability of energy for the tumor to grow. According to the researchers, endurance sport can reduce the formation of metastases by very aggressive cancer cells by up to 70 percent.
Preventing cancer: Endurance sport deprives cancer of its energy sources
It is believed that the organs must compete with the muscles for sugar resources, which are known to produce during physical exertion large amounts of glucose to burn. After all, cancer cells need energy from glucose in order to grow and form metastases, Levy continues.
According to that Cancer information service of the German Cancer Research Center In 2018, around six out of 100 new cancer cases in Germany among 35 to 84 year olds were due to low levels of physical activity. In addition to sports and exercise, a healthy lifestyle is also important to prevent cancer. (Vivian Werg)
Editor’s note
The information given in this article does not replace a visit to a doctor. Only experts can make the right diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy. The intake of medication or dietary supplements should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.