In a recent study led by The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, the relationship between how fit a person is (known as cardiorespiratory fitness) and the risk of getting three major types of cancer in men was explored.
The research, titled “Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cancer Incidence and Cancer-Specific Mortality of Colon, Lung, and Prostate Cancer Among Swedish Men,” was published in JAMA Network Open.
The study’s aim was to determine if there’s a link between a man’s fitness level and his likelihood of getting colon, lung, or prostate cancer.
Researchers observed 17,709 men. They ranged in age from 18 to 75, with most being around 42 years old. Their average weight-to-height ratio, or body mass index, was 26.
To measure their fitness levels, the men took a special kind of exercise test. They cycled on a stationary bike, but never at their maximum effort.
Instead, the intensity was set so they stayed below 85% of their predicted maximum heart rate.
From this, researchers could estimate the maximum amount of oxygen the men could use during intense exercise, a good indicator of overall fitness.
During the nearly 10-year study, some of the men did get cancer: 499 got colon cancer, 283 got lung cancer, and a surprising 1,918 got prostate cancer.
When it came to deaths from these cancers, 152 died from colon cancer, 207 from lung cancer, and 141 from prostate cancer.
Key Findings: The Fitness and Cancer Link
The fitter the men were, the less likely they were to get colon and lung cancer. Specifically, for every increase in their fitness level, the risk of getting these cancers dropped by 2%.
However, it was a different story for prostate cancer. More fit men were actually 1% more likely to get prostate cancer. But, interestingly, if they did get this cancer, their risk of dying from it was 5% lower than less fit men.
In a theoretical calculation, if everyone avoided having very low fitness levels, up to 8% of all colon cancer cases, 4% of all lung cancer deaths, and 19% of deaths from prostate cancer could be prevented.
The Power of Fitness
One of the crucial points made by the researchers is the difference between simply being active and having high cardiorespiratory fitness.
While it’s common for people to self-report how active they are, actual fitness levels give a more accurate picture of how the body responds to exercise.
Higher-intensity exercises can make a person even more fit and might offer more protection against certain cancers.
This study highlights the importance of maintaining a good level of fitness throughout life. Not only can it reduce the risk of certain cancers, but it can also reduce the risk of dying from them.
It serves as a compelling reason for men, and likely everyone, to prioritize their health and fitness.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about new vaccines to prevent pancreatic cancer, and scientists find the cause of prostate cancer metastasis.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about an effective drug combo to treat liver cancer, and results showing this berry may protect you from cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
