What are the latest findings on the relationship between physical activity and cancer prevention?
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Latest Findings on the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention
Physical Activity and Cancer Risk Reduction
Strong Evidence for Specific Cancers
Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have consistently shown that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of several types of cancer. Notably, there is strong evidence supporting the protective effects of physical activity against bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal adenocarcinoma, renal, and gastric cancers, with relative risk reductions ranging from 10% to 20%1 6. Specifically, vigorous physical exercise has been linked to a 17% reduction in pre-menopausal breast cancer risk and a 10% reduction in post-menopausal breast cancer risk5.
Moderate Evidence for Other Cancers
While the evidence is robust for certain cancers, it is moderate or limited for others. For instance, physical activity has shown moderate associations with decreased risks of lung, pancreatic, and meningioma cancers, although these findings are less consistent and may be influenced by study heterogeneity and potential biases9.
Physical Activity and Cancer Survival
Improved Survival Rates
Physical activity is not only beneficial for cancer prevention but also for improving survival rates among cancer patients. Studies have demonstrated that greater amounts of physical activity are associated with decreased all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in individuals diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer, with relative risk reductions of up to 40% to 50%1 4. Post-diagnosis physical activity appears to offer greater mortality benefits compared to pre-diagnosis activity6.
Biological Mechanisms
The beneficial effects of physical activity on cancer survival may be mediated through several biological mechanisms. These include beneficial changes in circulating levels of insulin, insulin-related pathways, inflammation, and possibly immune function4. Additionally, physical activity helps in weight control, which is crucial as excess weight and central adiposity are linked to increased cancer risk8.
Adherence to Cancer Prevention Guidelines
Significant Reductions in Cancer Incidence and Mortality
Adherence to established cancer prevention guidelines, which include recommendations for diet and physical activity, has been consistently associated with significant reductions in overall cancer incidence and mortality. High adherence to these guidelines can lead to decreases of 10% to 61% in cancer incidence and mortality, with specific reductions noted for breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancers3.
Research Gaps and Future Directions
Need for More Comprehensive Studies
Despite the growing body of evidence, several research gaps remain. There is a need for more observational studies on additional types of cancer with larger sample sizes to better understand the associations between physical activity and cancer risk and survival. Future studies should also explore the dose-response relationships and the biological mechanisms underlying these associations1 4.
Precision Medicine Approach
There is increasing interest in applying a precision medicine approach to understand how exercise can be tailored as a potential treatment for cancer. This involves examining the effects of physical activity on cancer outcomes by molecular or genetic markers, which could lead to more personalized and effective interventions10.
Conclusion
In summary, the latest research underscores the significant role of physical activity in reducing the risk of several types of cancer and improving survival rates among cancer patients. While the evidence is strong for certain cancers, more research is needed to fully understand the broader implications and to optimize physical activity guidelines for cancer prevention and control. Encouraging an active lifestyle remains a key public health strategy in the fight against cancer.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention and Survival: A Systematic Review
Higher physical activity levels are associated with reduced cancer risk and improved survival for several cancers.
Systematic Review
Very Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedCancer, physical activity, and exercise.
Higher levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced likelihood of developing various cancers and can improve symptom control during cancer treatment.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedAdherence to Diet and Physical Activity Cancer Prevention Guidelines and Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Adherence to cancer prevention guidelines for diet and physical activity is consistently associated with lower risks of overall cancer incidence and mortality, including for some site-specific cancers.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedPhysical activity, biomarkers, and disease outcomes in cancer survivors: a systematic review.
Physical activity is associated with reduced all-cause, breast cancer-specific, and colon cancer-specific mortality, but more research is needed on other cancers and biomarker effects.
Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedAbstract P3-10-06: What is the latest evidence on diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer – key findings from the WCRF/AICR continuous update project
Vigorous physical exercise reduces breast cancer risk before menopause by 17%, and moderate to vigorous physical activity after menopause by 10%, while alcohol consumption increases risk.
Systematic ReviewAmerican College of Sports Medicine Roundtable Report on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Cancer Prevention and Control
Physical activity plays a role in preventing many types of cancer and improving longevity among cancer survivors, but sun safe practices are crucial.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedLatest Evidence on the Impact of Smoking, Sports, and Sexual Activity as Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer Incidence, Recurrence, and Progression: A Systematic Review of the Literature by the European Association of Urology Section of Oncological Urology (ESOU).
Smoking is associated with aggressive prostate cancer features and worse outcomes, while physical activity may prevent prostate cancer and improve cancer-related outcomes.
Systematic ReviewPhysical activity and cancer prevention: etiologic evidence and biological mechanisms.
Increased physical activity may decrease cancer risk, with convincing evidence for breast and colon cancers, probable for prostate cancer, and possible for lung and endometrial cancers.
Highly CitedPhysical activity and cancer: an umbrella review of the literature including 22 major anatomical sites and 770 000 cancer cases
Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of several cancers, but only colon and breast cancer associations are supported by strong or highly suggestive evidence, while other cancer sites show less consistent evidence.
Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedPhysical Activity and Cancer Outcomes: A Precision Medicine Approach
High physical activity after cancer diagnosis is associated with reduced cancer-specific mortality and recurrence risk, with potential benefits for molecular and genetic subgroups.
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