Increase Your Activity and Reduce Cancer Risk
You don’t have to have special equipment or buy a fancy gym membership to be physically active. Simple fun activities with your family and friends can reduce your cancer risk.
Did you know?
The National Cancer Institute has sponsored many research studies about physical activity and cancer. At this time it is known that physical activity reduces your risk of colon, breast, uterus, lung and possibly prostate cancer.
Number of studies completed by cancer type and percentage that activity reduces your risk of the type of cancer
Number of Studies
|
Type of Cancer
|
Activity Reduces Your Risk By:
|
50+
|
Colon
|
30-50%
|
60+
|
Female Breast
|
20-80%
|
20
|
Uterus (endometrial)
|
20-40%
|
21
|
Lung
|
20%
|
36
|
Prostate
|
Unknown at this time
|
Source: National Cancer Institute
How Much Physical Activity Do Adults Need?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults do moderate intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on five or more days a week,
or engage in vigorous intensity activity for at least 20 minutes on three or more days of the week. You don’t have to do it all at once! Ten minutes here and there counts. Just make sure you are active for at least ten minutes at a time.
Examples of moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity activities can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/pdf/PA_Intensity_table_2_1.pdf
How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need?
Children and teens should be physically active at least 60 minutes on most, if not all days. Again, this can be broken down into segments of at least 10 minutes or more.
What about People Who Have Had Cancer?
It’s best to consult with your doctor about physical activity and begin gradually. Research shows that physical activity can help prevent recurrence of cancer, strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue and improve the quality of life.
What’s Your Favorite?
So what are your favorite ways to be active? The hula hoop, belly dancing, walking and hokey pokey all count. Make it simple! Make it fun! Increase your activity and reduce cancer risk.
Source: Cancer Information Service
Last Reviewed: March 2011