Scientists’ findings have confirmed that exercise can lower bowel cancer risk and slow the growth of tumours.
Scientists from Newcastle University have proved that Physical activity of any type (aerobic, anaerobic, interval, and so on) can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. A small English study involved 16 men aged between 50 and 80 who were at risk of developing bowel cancer.
The participants took a blood test and then got on their bikes and started pedalling vigorously. When they finished after 30 minutes, the subjects gave another blood sample and then went to rest. A few days later, they returned to the scientists’ laboratory to give blood again.
The researchers ran tests to see if exercise altered the concentration of cancer-fighting proteins in the blood and found an increase in the anti-inflammatory protein IL-6 (interleukin 6). The scientists then added blood samples to colon cancer cells and monitored their growth.
After 48 hours, they found that blood collected immediately after exercise slowed cancer cell growth and reduced the degree of DNA damage.
Dr Orange said: “Our findings are really exciting because they reveal a newly identified mechanism underlying how physical activity reduces bowel cancer risk that is not dependent on weight loss.”
“Important is that not just bowel cancer risk that can be reduced by leading a more active lifestyle. Exact links exist between higher exercise levels and a lower risk of developing other cancers, such as cancers of the breast and endometrium.”-added other scientist participating in the research work Dr Alastair Jordan and Dr Owen Kavanagh from York St John University
Physical activity is supposed to reduce the risk by approximately 20%. It can be reached if you go the gym, play sports, or by active travel like walking or biking, but also as part of household tasks or work like gardening or cleaning.
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