One way to prevent cancer is to move a lot. This is because the risk of cancer is known to increase if the body is not actively moved. Therefore, Check out this article to find out how to prevent cancer by being active.
In early 2014, World Health Organization (WHO) states that lack of physical activity is one of the highest causes of death in the world.
Sitting for long hours every day is a major risk factor that can make a person more susceptible to several serious diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
It is estimated that around 3.2 million people worldwide die each year from diseases caused by inactivity or exercise.
Lack of physical activity, especially for people who live in big cities, is generally caused by high air pollution due to vehicle fumes, heavy traffic, and lack of facilities for walking, such as sidewalks or parks.
In fact, physical activity or exercise is very important to maintain health and fitness and reduce the risk of dangerous diseases, including preventing cancer.
Being active doesn't always mean exercising. You can also do other physical activities, such as playing with children at home, walking leisurely, or just cleaning the house, so that the body remains active.
Some types of cancer that can be prevented by physical activity
In addition to keeping the body healthy, physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. People who are sedentary are known to have a 20–30% greater risk of developing disease than those who are active.
The following are some types of cancer that can be prevented by doing regular physical activity:
1. Breast cancer
Various studies have stated that regular exercise and physical activity can make women, both menopausal and still productive, have a lower risk of breast cancer.
To get the benefits of exercise, women are advised to regularly exercise for at least 30 minutes every day or at least 3 times a week.
2. Colon cancer
Physical activity and exercise can increase metabolism, prevent insulin resistance, and maintain a stable body weight. Not only that, regular physical activity is also known to reduce a person's risk of developing colon cancer.
Research shows that people who do 30–60 minutes of physical activity every day have a lower risk of developing colon cancer than people who don't move.
The study even revealed that regular exercise can even reduce a person's risk of developing cancer by up to 30%.
3. Uterine cancer
Uterine cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer in women. This disease is more at risk for women who have hormonal disorders, are overweight or obese, and have a family history of uterine or colon cancer.
A woman's risk of developing uterine cancer can be reduced if she leads a healthy lifestyle, namely regular exercise, not smoking, and staying away from alcoholic beverages.
Research has also shown that women who are more active have a 20–40% lower risk of developing uterine cancer than women who rarely move. This is presumably because regular exercise is beneficial in maintaining the stability of hormones in a woman's body.
4. Lung cancer
People who are active generally have about a 20% lower risk of developing lung cancer. In addition to being active, your risk of developing lung cancer will also be smaller if you stop smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
5. Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer that arises in the prostate gland in men, the gland that functions to produce sperm. Prostate cancer is more likely to occur in men who rarely ejaculate, older men, or men who have a family history of prostate cancer.
Some cases of prostate cancer cannot be prevented. However, some research says that regular physical activity also plays a role in reducing a man's risk of prostate cancer.
Physical Activity ufor Cancer Patients
For cancer patients who are undergoing treatment, doing physical activity with a doctor's guidance can speed up the healing process. Physical activity can reduce fatigue, increase mood, reduces the risk of depression, and is effective in restoring strength and endurance.
Simple activities such as walking around the house every day for 15–30 minutes can increase the body's metabolism and nourish the heart and lungs. In fact, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of death from cancer.
Physical Activities and Types of Sports that are Good for Prevent Cancer
The following are some examples of exercise that you can start doing to prevent cancer:
- Bicycle
- Leisurely strolling
- Dance
- Pilates, Zumba, Yoga
- Jump rope
In addition to the various types of exercise above, you can also do daily activities such as sweeping and mopping the house and ironing clothes so that your body remains active and avoids cancer.
To get the benefits of exercise to prevent cancer, you are advised to regularly exercise for 30 minutes every day or at least 3-5 times a week.
Meanwhile, for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment, exercise is sufficient for 10–20 minutes 3 or 4 times per week or according to doctor's advice.
If you are not used to exercising regularly, start slowly and adjust to the condition of your body. Once your body gets used to exercising, you can increase the intensity and duration of the exercise.
For questions about what types of exercise are suitable for preventing cancer or if you are undergoing cancer treatment, you can consult a doctor to find out what types of exercise are suitable for your body condition.
