Diet, Exercise and Weight Linked To Cancer Risk

February 19 2014

Diet, Exercise and Weight Linked To Cancer Risk

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 8 million people die from cancer each year, which is twice the number of deaths caused by AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. We’ve known for quite some time that smoking plays a key role in the formation of cancer cells, but there’s no strong evidence suggesting that a person’s diet, physical activity levels and weigh also play a role in their risk of cancer.

ACS Finds Diet and Exercise To Lower The Risk of Cancer

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently performed a study to shed some light on the potential cancer-risk-reduction benefits of diet, exercise and maintaining a health weight. Researchers analyzed data from over 65,000 women, paying close attention to their nutrition and physical activity levels.

ACS researchers found that women who followed the ACS guidelines for exercise and nutrition experienced lower rates of cancer. See below for a short summary of their findings:

• 22% lower risk of breast cancer
• 25% lower risk of colorectal cancer
• 17% lower risk of any cancer

The official Cancer.org website states the following:

“Being overweight can increase cancer risk in many ways. One of the main ways is that excess weight causes the body to produce and circulate more estrogen and insulin, hormones that can stimulate cancer growth.”

What About Men?

Although the ACS study strictly involved women participants, it’s safe to assume that men will also experience lower rates of cancer by following the same healthy diet and exercise regimen.

Unfortunately, we live in an age where it’s easier and more convenient — and oftentimes cheaper — to pick up dinner from a fast food drive-through rather than cooking a meal using fresh, all-natural ingredients. Fast food companies have done an excellent job at “appearing” to offer healthy alternatives, but the fact is that nearly all of the nation’s leading fast foot establishments fail to deliver to quality nutrition. The high sodium, sugar and fat content found in a typical fast food meal leads to additional weight gain without offering any real nutritional value.

The first step towards a healthier lifestyle with a lower risk for cancer is to skip the convenience of fast food and opt to cook your meals instead. Focus on lean, low-fat meats, such as chicken and fish, along with fresh vegetables and whole grains. A proper diet combined with regular exercise will not only improve your quality of life, but it will also reduce your risk of cancer.