Follow Active lifestyle To Stay Away from Cancer

Obesity is the primary warning sign of unhealthy lifestyle, which can lead to many Health hazards including cancer. Obesity is an established risk factor for colon cancer in both men and women.  Visceral adiposity appears to confer greater risk than abdominal adiposity or general overweight.  Physical activity may stimulate stool transit in the colon, thereby decreasing the exposure of colonic mucosa to carcinogens in the stool.  In addition, use of aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs appears to reduce colon cancer risk. 

As per Dr. A. K. Dewan Medical Director, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Center The battle against obesity is difficult, as unhealthy behaviors are established early in life and are challenging to break. But a healthy lifestyle with right amount of physical activity goes a long way in decreasing obesity, which in turn leads to a reduced risk towards cancer and other lifestyle related diseases.

In the changing life scenario where raise in mechanization and technological advances have led to decreased occupational physical activity, we must induct ways to increase additional physical activity. Physical activities such as not sitting idle in office at a long stretch, walking whenever possible generally require less energy expenditure per hour compared to session of strenuous exercise. 

Dr. A K Dewan further added, "Support for a role of physical activity or obesity in relation to cancer risk exists for cancers of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, and kidney. Obesity may even worsen our chances of surviving after a cancer diagnosis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that overweight and obesity are the most important known avoidable causes of cancer after tobacco." 

The higher risk of breast cancer for women who gain weight is likely due to higher levels of estrogen, since fat tissue is the largest source of estrogen among women who are post-menopausal. low level of physical activity and obesity are established breast cancer risk factors among postmenopausal women and, to a lesser extent in premenopausal women.

One of the earliest studies, a case-control study of women 40 years or younger, showed a dramatic reduction in risk of approximately 50% among women who ­averaged about 4 hours of activity per week during their reproductive years. Each additional hour of physical activity per week decreases breast cancer by approximately 6%. Adult obesity and adult weight gain have both been associated with increased breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women. Breast cancer risk increased approximately 18% per 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI and can be reduced by increasing level of physical activity.Physical activity may lower body fat among children, which in turn may delay menarche. later age at menarche has been associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Heavier postmenopausal women have higher levels of circulating estrogen than women with less adipose tissue. Hence women after pregnancy or postmenopausal women should make it a priority to include physical activity in their lifestyle.

"Though there are no specific exercises but small changes in lifestyle can bring down the risk of cancer. Everyday work out and continuous physical activity can reduce cancer probability. It is possible that genetically defined subgroups of the population respond to physical activity or obesity differently. You may seek expert advice in getting a customized health chart for you to follow. By and large half an hour exercise daily or leisure time physical activity will help you stay healthy." Dr. A K Dewan .