{"id":7210,"date":"2017-04-14T01:03:14","date_gmt":"2017-04-14T00:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=7210"},"modified":"2017-05-03T05:54:03","modified_gmt":"2017-05-03T04:54:03","slug":"exercise-oncology-part-13-lets-get-moving-exercise-helps-preventing-treating-cancers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2017\/04\/14\/exercise-oncology-part-13-lets-get-moving-exercise-helps-preventing-treating-cancers\/","title":{"rendered":"Exercise oncology part 1\/3: Let\u2019s get moving, exercise helps in preventing AND treating cancers!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swiss Junior Doctors and Undergraduate Perspective on Sport and <\/strong>Exercis<\/strong>e Medicine Blog Series<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By Giulia Marzano and Justin Carrard,<\/strong> @MarzanoGiuli<\/a>, @Carrard.Justin<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI am very sorry to tell you that you suffer have bowel cancer (\u2026). But\u00a0we are able to treat this kind of cancer with pretty good results. Treatment consists of surgery as well as chemotherapy and regular physical activity (\u2026). The best training program includes 5 times 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity and twice weekly strength training. I can direct you to a specialist in adapted physical activity who will support you to meet these targets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This\u00a0might seem like science fiction to a lot of health practitioners. However, it is now widely accepted that physical activity has positive effects on preventing a lot of cancers. Growing evidence shows that exercise can also be helpful during and after cancer treatment (2).<\/p>\n

This is the first of\u00a03 blogs about exercise oncology. In this first one, we review current evidence on prevention and treatment of oncological diseases.<\/p>\n

Exercise\u2026 to prevent cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sedentary behaviour increases cancer risk (1,2). According to a British study, about 1% of all cancer in the UK are attributable to low physical activity level. This corresponds to 34 000 cases per year (3). The three most studied cancer types related to physical activity are breast, colon and endometrial cancers.<\/p>\n

In a meta-analysis of 31 studies, most active women had a 12% lower risk of developing breast cancer that the\u00a0least active women (4). Concerning colon cancer, meta-analyses suggest a 25% lower risk for the most active groups (5,6). Lastly, active women have apparently a 30% decreased risk to suffer from endometrial cancer (7).<\/p>\n

A meta-analysis of 36 cohort-studies found a 17% reduced cancer mortality in the general population (i.e. people who did not have cancer at the time of the study). From those 36 studies, 5 look exclusively for colorectal cancer, 4 for pancreatic cancer, 3 for breast cancer and 22 for various cancers (8). Although there is not enough data to confirm this (1, 2, 8), other cancers (lung, pancreatic, prostate) seem to be prevented by physical activity.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, someone who sits all day at work and exercises in the evening can be seen as sedentary. Sedentary refers to a state of muscle inactivity (like sitting or lying, with the exception of sleeping) regardless of engagement in physical activity (9). To our best knowledge there are currently no recommendations regarding the ideal daily sitting time. However, it is important to regularly break-up a sitting pattern. As studies have shown, sedentary behaviour increases risk of colon, endometrial and lung cancer (10, 11, 12).<\/p>\n

Exercise \u2026 to help treating cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n

A recent meta-analysis of 35 studies (19 on breast cancer and 16 on colorectal cancer) concluded that the most active cancer survivors reduced their cancer mortality up to 22% regardless if they were previously active or not. Moreover, if they separated physical activity measured in the pre-diagnostic period from physical activity measured in the post-diagnostic one, the mortality reduction was greater in the post-diagnostic period (HR 0.60 vs HR 0.86). Thus, it seems that being active benefits to everyone (8).<\/p>\n

Additionally, being active induces other somatic positive effects: preventing muscle wasting, decreasing osteoporosis risk, increase cardiovascular fitness, and seems to reduce some chemotherapy side effects (nausea and fatigue) (13).<\/p>\n

Last but not least, exercise positively influences patients\u2019 mood and social life by giving them greater independence based on Activities of Daily Living (ADL): improving their self-esteem, lowering anxiety and depression risk (13).<\/p>\n

With their review, Browall et al. show physical activity as an adjuvant treatment for women affected by breast cancer. After the improvement of physical fitness, women feel content and empowered. They have the impression to have control over the disease. Given that they are not treated as patients, taking part in exercise programs also is a helpful tool for patients to gain a sense of normality, away from the medical sphere. Furthermore, it is also a chance for an\u00a0opportunity to meet other people who suffer from the same disease and talk openly about it (13).<\/p>\n

How does it work?<\/strong><\/p>\n