Exercise and Cancer

New Cancer research

In 2018 Clinical Oncology Society of Australia released a new  position
statement on exercise in cancer care click here to read the statement.

The Age” May 8, 2015. It has been suggested that exercise may improve the ability to cope with treatment side effects.

Breast Cancer

  • 1 in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85
  • The most commonly diagnosed cancers in women with 14,560 new cases in 2012
  • In 2009, the average age of breast cancer diagnosis was 60.7 years
  • In 2010, there were 2,864 deaths from breast cancer (2,840 women and 24 men)
  • A Waist line over 85cm (Women) = 22% ↑risk for Breast Cancer

Colon/Bowel Cancer

  • Is the 2nd most common cancer in both men (8,760) and women (7,080)
  • In 2009, the average age of bowel cancer diagnosis was 69.3 years
  • Waist line over 100cm (Men) = 72% ↑risk for Colon Cancer; 85cm (Women) = 33% ↑ risk for Colon Cancer
  • Colon cancer is reduced by 40% among active individuals

Prostate Cancer

  • The most commonly diagnosed cancers in men with 18,560 new cases in 2012
  • In 2009, the average age of prostate cancer diagnosis was 67.4 years
  • In 2010, there were 3,235 deaths from prostate cancer, accounting for 13.3% of all cancer deaths in men in Australia
  • Waist line over 100cm (Men) = 43% ↑risk for Aggressive Prostate Cancer
  • Breast cancer have shown a 20-40% reduction in risk, in both pre- and post-menopausal women

How can Exercise Physiology help?

1 in 3 of all Cancers are preventable by following a healthy lifestyle:

  • Maintain a healthy body weight – waistline less than 85 cm women & 100 cm Men
  • Eat well – a healthy diet will help you maintain a healthy body weight
  • Limit your alcohol intake, or better still, avoid it altogether
  • Keep active – exercise or do physical activity for 30 to 60 minutes each day

Evidence shows that regular and vigorous physical activity prevents some cancers, and can also reduce the incidence of cancer by 30-70%. The effect is strongest for breast and colon cancers.

Regular exercise after cancer diagnosis will increase cancer survival rates by 50-60%, strongest effect for breast, colon and prostate cancer.

Evidence supports a dose response relationship between physical activity levels and some cancers. Cancer risk decreases as activity levels increase.

NEED AN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST?