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Physical exercise: a pillar for cancer prevention?
1Chemotherapy Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
Summary
Regular physical exercise is crucial for preventing cancer, particularly of the colon, prostate, breast, and endometrium. Exercise also benefits cardiovascular health and helps manage non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Preventive Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Physical exercise demonstrates significant protective effects against major chronic diseases.
- Sedentary lifestyles are linked to increased risks for certain cancers and metabolic disorders.
- Exercise positively impacts conditions like atherosclerosis and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of physical exercise in neoplasia prevention.
- To identify specific organ sites where exercise shows a protective influence.
- To explore the hormonal mechanisms underlying exercise's anti-cancer effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological and experimental studies on physical activity and chronic diseases.
- Analysis of organ-specific cancer risks associated with sedentary behavior.
- Investigation of hormonal factors, including insulin and estrogen, in relation to cancer development.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence supports exercise's protective role in preventing cancers of the colon, prostate, breast, and endometrium.
- Elevated risk of these cancers is associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
- Hormonal mechanisms involving insulin and estrogen are implicated in neoplastic development.
Conclusions:
- Physical exercise is a key strategy for cancer prevention, impacting multiple organ sites.
- Modulating insulin and estrogen levels through exercise may reduce cancer risk.
- Public health initiatives should promote increased physical activity for cancer education and prevention.