Exercise and Preventing Cancer

The Effects of exercise on cancer prevention

Since 1950, there has been an overwhelming increase in individuals with cancer. The occurrence of breast cancer and male colon cancer have increased by about 60 percent; testis, prostate and kidney by 100 percent; and other cancers, such as malignant melanoma, multiple myeloma and some lymphomas, by over 100 percent. Although there is hardly getting around it, we often know some one who has been thru cancer and possibly have been diagnosed yourself. Exercise has been proven to decrease anyone's chance of having cancer as well as increasing the immune system to those with cancer to help fight the vigorous battle.

What is the cause of cancer? Although the true cause is truly unknown why certain individuals get cancer and others don't. The biggest factor in Cancer diagnosis, have to do with Lifestyle choices, environmental factors and genetics. According the American cancer society:

"Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body start to grow out of control. There are many kinds of cancer, but they all start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.... Cells become cancer cells because of damage to DNA. DNA is in every cell and directs all its actions. In a normal cell, when DNA gets damaged the cell either repairs the damage or the cell dies. In cancer cells, the damaged DNA is not repaired, but the cell doesn't die like it should.... People can inherit damaged DNA, but most DNA damage is caused by mistakes that happen while the normal cell is reproducing or by something in our environment. Sometimes the cause of the DNA damage is something obvious, like cigarette smoking"

Although genetics may play a role in the growth in abnormal cells it has been proven time and time again that lifestyle choices and environmental factors can play a significant role in preventing cancer.

There are countless environmental factors that may be involved in cancer. The term environment has several different meanings when referring to causes of cancer. Originally, the term "environmental cause of cancer" was used to refer to all cancers that were not caused by hereditary or genetic factors. Tobacco use, diet, radiation and chemical exposure, and alcohol use are just some of the many factors we see related to the cause of cancer.

Each year, about 570,000 Americans die of cancer; fully one-third of these deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and carrying too much weight. Up to 85% of cancer is due to lifestyle choices made by individuals, which places them at higher risk for the development of cancer. The British Journal of Sports did a recent study over the course of 16 years, with males from the ages of 41-62. The study was to prove if exercise played a significant role in preventing cancer. Here is what they found:

"A higher use of oxygen consumption during physical activity is linked to a reduction in the level of illness in a person and their likelihood of dying from cancer."

The study also shows that their chances of cancer dropped 60 % due to an exercise incorporated into their everyday lifestyle. If that doesn't make you want to jump into good exercise habits I don't know what will.

There is a strong correlation between oxygen deprivation and cell growth. Studies have shown that oxygen is a vital part of maintaining healthy cells in your body and a lack of sufficient oxygen makes your cells unhealthy and susceptible to diseases and cancer. Exercising increases oxygen consumption which leads to more oxygen to the cells and also increases healthy cell growth as opposed to abnormal cell growth. The more intense workouts lead to higher oxygen consumption. Exercising also allows you to have a healthy and strong immune system in order fight off sickness and abnormal cell growth.

Cancer is not biased, it can hit anyone at anytime, whether it is in your family genes or not. There is no valid explanation why we get cancer. But time after time studies have proven that exercise and a healthier lifestyle has significant affects on preventing cancer. There are so little things we can control in life, why not make a choice that will affect your good health in the long run.

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