A landmark study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that even moderate exercise lowers the risk of seven cancers.
Gained a few pounds over the holidays? Getting back to exercise is a smart move—not just for your mood, but for your long-term health.
Health experts recommend 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate activity weekly, like brisk walking or gardening. For those able, about 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise works too.
These guidelines are proven to help prevent chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Now, robust evidence confirms they also play a key role in cancer prevention.
Researchers from the American Cancer Society and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from nine studies in a meta-analysis of 755,000 adults tracked for an average of 10 years.
Meeting these activity levels was associated with a 17% lower risk of kidney cancer, 27% for liver cancer, and 19% for non-melanoma skin cancer in both men and women.
Men saw up to a 14% reduced risk of colon cancer, while women experienced up to a 10% lower breast cancer risk. Endometrial cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma risks dropped by 18%.
This observational study highlights associations, not direct causation. Participants might have had other healthy habits influencing results.
Limitations include self-reported activity levels and a study population that was predominantly white.
This builds on prior research: A 2016 JAMA Oncology study found higher activity linked to lower risks for 13 cancers, including bladder, esophagus, lung, rectum, and stomach.
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