Physical activity linked to reduced mortality in breast and colon cancer patients

09. 05. 2012 | ecancer.org


Physical activity is associated with reduced breast and colon cancer mortality, but there is insufficient evidence on the association for other cancer types, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute [1].

Physical activity linked to reduced mortality in breast and colon cancer patients

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Improvements in cancer treatment and screening have allowed cancer survivors to live longer and as a result, cancer survivors frequently look at information about how lifestyle factors like exercise can affect their prognosis.

Multiple observational studies and randomised control trials (RCTs) have looked at the effects that physical activity can have on cancer survivors.

To examine the association between physical activity and cancer survival, Rachel Ballard-Barbash, M.D., of the Applied Research Program in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute and colleagues reviewed 45 articles reporting both observational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that looked at the relationship between physical activity and mortality and/or cancer biomarkers among cancer survivors.

Read the whole article at ecancer.org

Reference

  1. Ballard-Barbash, R., Hunsberger, S. et al. (2012). Physical activity, weight control, and breast cancer risk and survival: clinical trial rationale and design considerations Journal of the National Cancer Institute DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djp068

Keywords: physical activity, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, mortality rates

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