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Exercise and Cancer Prevention

Peer Review Status: Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Information Service
First Published: August 2002
Last Revised: April 2003

The mechanisms by which physical activity may prevent cancer are not clear. Exercise can help reduce obesity, which is related to the cause of several cancers. It can also change the body's hormone levels, which might also have a favorable effect. Exercise, by speeding up metabolism, is generally believed to speed up the passage of ingested foods through the colon--thus reducing the time the colon mucosal lining is in contact with possible carcinogens.

How much is enough exercise? A good place to start would be to engage in physical activity for 30 minutes throughout the day. If this is broken into ten-minute segments three times a day, it might seem more attainable. Taking a ten-minute walk on morning/afternoon breaks can be just as stimulating as the caffeine in the coffee you skip. Get off the bus a stop before your house and walk the remaining distance. Park the car farther away than you need and walk to your destination. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, starting with one flight at a time. Add another flight each week, until the stair walking becomes habit and seems effortless.

Exercise, combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle are choices we can make to improve how we look and how we feel now and in the future.