Understand Cancer Risk by Knowing the Link Between Exercise and Cancer

Urgent Care Blog

For years, medical experts have actively searched for ways to help people reduce their risk of cancer. At last, it appears that they’ve found the cancer-reduction answer in regular physical activity. Recent studies have confirmed the direct connection between cancer and exercise, showing that exercise both reduces the risk for certain cancers and also increases the survival rate for those suffering from the disease. MD Now has long been committed to the fight against cancer and is now sharing these encouraging results to help you exercise your ability to protect your family’s health. 

Understand How the Exercise-Cancer Research Worked Out

The link between physical activity and cancer was recently published in the Internal Medicine (JAMA) journal after an analysis of 1.44 million Americans and Europeans. The research showed that people who performed higher levels of physical activity had a substantially lower risk of developing 13 of the 26 cancers evaluated. These exercisers had a 10% to 42% lower risk of developing the following:

  • Throat cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Myeloid leukemia
  • Myeloma
  • Rectal cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Head and neck cancer

The study also suggested a relationship between cancer and exercise, with people who had higher physical activity levels having a lower risk for:

  • Cancer of the small intestine
  • Gallbladder cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 

Be Pro-Active About Exercise and Cancer

After carefully studying the connection between cancer and exercise, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommended that people perform two types of physical activity each week to help reduce the risk of cancer.

One is aerobic activity, which is commonly known as cardio. It includes any type of activity performed at a moderate or vigorous rate that increases your heart rate for at least 10 minutes at a time. According to healthcare experts, adults need a total of 150 minutes a week of any moderate-intensity to high-intensity aerobic exercise. The other type of exercise prescribed is muscle-strengthening activity, which should be performed at least twice a week to exercise all major muscles. 

Exercise Your Options Regarding Physical Activity and Cancer

Considering that 150 minutes of activity equals two-and-a-half hours of exercise, it can seem like a lot to accomplish. But it’s important to realize that this exercise doesn’t need to be performed all at once. It can occur at any time during the day or week, as long as it totals at least 150 minutes. It’s best simply to do what works best for you, as long as your total moderate to vigorous activity works out to 150 minutes a week. Remember, every little bit adds up to a lower risk of cancer.

MD Now Is Your Source for the Highest-Quality Care

Discover the caring, convenient, and cost-efficient treatment that can always be found at MD Now. All of our locations operate on a walk-in, no-appointment basis to conveniently suit your schedule. With 26 locations throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, quality care is always within your reach. For the Florida locations nearest you, visit https://www.mymdnow.com/locations.

To learn more about our urgent care centers, visit www.MDNow.com.

MD Now® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open seven days a week to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at MD Now. Online: www.MDNow.com.

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