Over the last few years, one of the most debatable topics in cancer research has been whether regular exercise can significantly lower cancer risk.
The answer has remained complicated. However, a recent study, published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine, offered a glimpse of how regular physical activity affects the risk of prostate cancer, one of the top ten most common cancers in India.
Researchers from Sweden showed that men with cardiorespiratory fitness improved by 3% or more annually over five years and, on average, were 35% less likely to develop prostate cancer than men whose cardiorespiratory fitness declined by 3% annually.
Cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of how well the heart and lungs deliver oxygen to the muscles during exercise.
The men took at least two fitness tests, which involved pedalling on a stationary bike and estimating the volume of oxygen they used during vigorous exercise based on their heart rate.
A higher volume indicated a greater fitness level. The tests were done years apart though the exact gap varied by participant.
According to the co-author of the study, Dr Kate Bolam, “Men who are generally more health-conscious are also good at going to the doctor when they are called for their prostate cancer screening tests.”
Increased testing results in more diagnoses, even for men whose cancers may never advance. Prostate cancer cells can coexist in the prostate throughout one’s lifetime without posing a threat.
Therefore, many men who don’t undergo testing and don’t exhibit symptoms might remain unaware of their prostate cancer.
The researchers recommended finding an activity that is enjoyable, and starting with it immediately. The physical activity could be playing with children or grandchildren, going for a walk or joining a recreational sports league.
Consistency is key, which is why it’s important to find activity that doesn’t feel like a chore.
“Everyone has a chance to do something that’s really cost-efficient here to decrease their risk of prostate cancer,” Dr Bolam said. “And that’s something that is wholly in our control .
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