Exercising regularly before a cancer diagnosis is associated with slower disease progression and a lower risk of death, finds a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Even relatively low levels of physical activity appear to offer significant benefits.

The study analysed data from 28,248 patients with stage 1 cancer. Researchers compared participants' activity levels in the 12 months before cancer diagnosis with the rate of cancer progression and death following diagnosis.

Breast and prostate cancers were the most prevalent, making up 44 per cent of the cases in the study. The disease progressed in 34.5 per cent of the cases, while 19 per cent of the patients died before the end of the study. The odds of disease progression were 16 per cent lower among those who engaged in low levels of physical activity (60 or fewer minutes per week) in the year preceding their diagnosis compared with those who were not physically active. The risk was 27 per cent lower in those who engaged in moderate to high levels of activity (60 minutes or more per week).

Additionally, individuals who participated in moderate-to-high levels of physical activity were 47 per cent less likely to die from any cause, while those with low levels of activity had a 33 per cent lower risk of death.

“In a world where cancer continues to be a significant public health burden, the promotion of physical activity can yield important benefits regarding the progression of cancer as well as its prevention and management,” the researchers concluded.

Source : Theweek