According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), moderate physical activity could decrease the risk of cancer death. The research team analyzed data from over 750,000 adults and found that those who engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week had a 20% lower risk of cancer death compared to those who were less active.
Moderate physical activity refers to activities such as brisk walking, cycling, or gardening, which increase heart rate and breathing, but do not cause exhaustion. The study’s authors emphasized that even small amounts of activity could have significant benefits, and that the risk reduction was similar across all types of cancer.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Steven C. Moore, stated that the findings provided further evidence that physical activity could be an important tool in cancer prevention and treatment. He encouraged healthcare providers to promote physical activity to their patients, and for individuals to find activities that they enjoy and can maintain over time.
Despite the benefits of physical activity, many adults still do not meet the recommended levels of activity. The authors suggested that healthcare providers could play a role in promoting physical activity, and that community-wide interventions such as building more sidewalks or bike paths could also encourage people to be more active.
Overall, this study provides further evidence that moderate physical activity can have significant health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer death. Healthcare providers and individuals alike should prioritize physical activity as a key component of a healthy lifestyle.
