How Weight Lifting Can Prevent Colon Cancer?

A decreased risk of many cancers, like breast, colon, and endometrial cancers, has been related to exercise. In addition, recent information confirms the preventive effects of physical activity when it comes, in particular, to colon cancer screening.

According to a new study published in the Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise journal, by lifting weights, your chance of being diagnosed with colon cancer can be decreased by up to 25%.

Information from research gathered by the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Report was obtained by the providers of the study. This allowed the researchers to investigate how the risk of 10 common types of cancer was influenced by weight training by examining factors such as lifestyle, diet and health in people between the ages of 50 and 71.

Information was sent by the participants from 1995 to 1996 and follow-up data were then sent between 2004 and 2006. As recorded by the participants, researchers gathered the duration of workouts, who incorporated various free weight exercises and strength training machines into their daily exercise habits.

The research looked at the amount of time the participants applied to their weekly workout routines, weight training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and other resistance exercises, from low weight training (5 minutes to 1.5 hours) to high weight training (1.5 hours to 10 hours). Other variables, such as BMI, race, sex, smoking, age and more were also accounted for by the researchers.

The second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. is colon cancer, so scientists at the National Cancer Institute are keen to get a handle on prevention, so a longitudinal study involving 215,122 participants was launched. While the link between routine physical exercise and cancer reduction is relatively well-known, specifically, the NCI decided to research weight lifting and how successful it is in combating colon cancer.

Researchers found that strength training for about two hours a week further decreased the risk of colon cancer. The reason - Further muscle growth helps maintain healthier levels of blood sugar, which research indicates is critical in reducing the risk of common cancers.

While weight lifters had a slightly lower risk of colon cancer, compared to subjects who did not lift, they also saw a reduction in a lower risk of kidney cancer. Combined with recent studies into prebiotic foods and their link to cancer risk reduction, it is clear that the key to curbing the cancer risk is to lead a fit and safe lifestyle with a bit of pumping iron thrown in for good measure.

See us at Screen The City for colon cancer screening. In OKC we follow the regulations of screening to help prevent this disease.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not intend to offer a doctor’s advice and mentions no relationship between any patient and the care provider.