Who exercises, wins

Many studies have now revealed the various anti-cancer mechanisms exercise can provide. Regular moderate-to-intense exercise has a wide range of biochemical and metabolic effects that directly and indirectly inhibit the development and growth of cancer. In animals, it has been shown that exercise prevents cancer, slows down its progression, and combats the spread of the disease, even if no other treatment is applied. If a cancer treatment is administered, exercise enhances its effectiveness (Hojman P, 2018; Idorn M, 2017; Ashcraft KA, 2019).
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Anti-cancer mechanisms of regular exercise

  • reduces DNA damage(the first step in the development of cancer)
  • increases immunity against cancer cells
  • brings down factors that act as a stimulus to cancer, such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic high blood sugar
  • improves the hormonal balance, lowers the level of oestrogen (which stimulates the growth of hormonal cancers)
  • deprives tumours of the energy they need to grow
  • increases the oxygen supply to tumours, so that cancer cells can be destroyed

Effects of regular exercise on cancer

  • inhibits the growth, progression, and metastasis of tumours
  • boosts the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy
  • reduces the side effects of every type of cancer treatment
  • increases the probability of surviving cancer and reduces the chances of dying
  • lowers the probability that the cancer will return
  • prevents muscle loss and weakness (cachexia)
  • prevents bone loss (caused by the treatment)
  • reduces stress, anxiety, depression and psychological symptoms
  • helps you sleep better
  • improves quality of life
  • increases confidence and self-esteem
  • gives you more energy and reduces tiredness
References
  1. HojmanP,GehlJ,ChristensenJF,etal.MolecularMechanismsLinkingExercisetoCancerPre- vention and Treatment. Cell Metab. 2018 Jan 9;27(1):10-21. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.09.015. Epub 2017 Oct 19. PMID: 29056514.
  2. IdornM,ThorStratenP.Exerciseandcancer:from“healthy”to“therapeutic”?CancerImmunol Immunother. 2017 May;66(5):667-671. doi: 10.1007/s00262-017-1985-z. Epub 2017 Mar 21. PMID: 28324125; PMCID: PMC5406418.
  3. Ashcraft KA, Warner AB, Jones LW, Dewhirst MW. Exercise as Adjunct Therapy in Cancer. Semin Radiat Oncol. 2019 Jan;29(1):16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2018.10.001. PMID: 30573180; PMCID: PMC6656408.
Full steam against cancer

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