Once Agin: Weight and Exercise
Posted 4/30/2012
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I know that I seem to be obsessed with these topics. Perhaps that laser focus is due to my personal need for frequent reminders of the importance of the daily gym visit. Or, and I would like to think this is the reason, it is due to the steadily accumulating evidence that regular exericse and weight maintenance reduce the recurrence risk of all cancers and, as an added bonus, keep us healthier in general. It also helps that I have heard from several of you that my harping on this subject has actually motivated you to start exercising.
This is a lovely essay from Web MD about the recent American Cancer Society guidelines. I give you an excerpt and then a link. Read it and then lace up your sneakers.
Even More Reasons to Eat Less, Exercise More
By Heather Millar
The striking thing about this ACS report, I think, is the overwhelming strength of the evidence supporting healthy habits for cancer survivors. This is the first time the data has been strong enough to release formal guidelines for cancer survivors, as has been done before for cancer prevention. Here are just a few tidbits to give us all a motivational kick in the pants:
- Increasing evidence indicates that being overweight increases the risk of recurrence and reduces the likelihood of disease-free and overall survival among those diagnosed with cancer.
- A meta-analysis [that means a study compiling results of all the available studies] demonstrated that postdiagnosis exercise was associated with a 34% lower risk of breast cancer deaths, a 41% lower risk of all-cause mortality, and a 24% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence.
- Another meta-analysis of 44 studies that included over 3000 participants with varying cancer types, exercise significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue levels.
- At least 20 prospective observational studies have shown that physically active cancer survivors have a lower risk of cancer recurrences and improved survival.
- Results from observational studies suggest that diet and food choices may affect cancer progression, risk of recurrence, and overall survival in individuals who have been treated for cancer.
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