Cancer is a deadly disease that now ranks as the second-leading cause of death globally, just after cardiovascular diseases. Lung cancer and bowel cancer, in particular, are among the top cancers that claim millions of lives annually.

Research shows that physical activity, such as exercise, can lower the incidence of getting cancer and significantly improve quality of life, from management to recovery. While exercise can’t guarantee cancer prevention, it plays an important role in mitigating the major risks that trigger lung and bowel cancer.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is an infection resulting from abnormal cell growth and division in normal tissue. The abundance of these cells can then spread to other body organs and systems, ultimately disrupting regular body function.

Lung and bowel cancer physically present dissimilar symptoms until the later stages of the disease. For instance, bowel cancer initially showcases bloating, blood in stool, and abdominal pain. On the other hand, lung cancer first manifests signs of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

In either case, the physical, mental, and social impacts are severe.

Risks and Causes of Lung and Bowel Cancer

Several factors increase the risk of lung and bowel cancer, including age, genetics, personal history, and underlying illnesses.

However, the top causes of cancer in general are poor lifestyle habits, such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and lack of physical activity.

The primary risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, whether actively or passively. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking causes almost 34% of all cancer deaths in America.

Smoking produces harmful substances that diminish the overall health of the lungs and impairs the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off diseases, such as cancer. Exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, and air pollution can also increase the likelihood of getting lung cancer.

Similarly, when it comes to bowel cancer, a sedentary lifestyle and consuming processed and sugary foods feature high on the list of risk factors.

The high intake of red and processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and sugary drinks heighten the risk of developing bowel cancer. Additionally, drinking alcohol, having a family history of the disease, ulcerative colitis, and obesity also increase the risk of developing bowel cancer.

The Benefits of Exercise in Cancer Prevention

Exercise has numerous benefits, and the positive effects of physical activity on both physical and mental health are widely documented.

Regular exercise decreases the risk of comorbidities, such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke, which also increase the likelihood of getting cancer.

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute by Michels KB, et al. estimates that exercise can reduce colon cancer risk by 40% to 50% and even by 30% for those already diagnosed with the disease.

Furthermore, physical activities such as swimming, bicycling, and running help mitigate the risk of developing lung cancer in both smokers and non-smokers.

Exercise boosts the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells and cytokines, which play a critical role in preventing the formation of cancerous cells and the growth of tumors.

Physical activity also helps improve digestion, reducing the occurrence of bowel issues such as constipation and inflammation. High-intensity exercise, known as aerobic exercise, stimulates the production of endorphins, which are known to induce a feeling of pleasure and reduce depressive symptoms.

Choosing the Right Exercise

For people willing to take on physical activity as a way of preventing lung and bowel cancer, it is vital to choose the right form of exercise.

The ideal type, intensity, frequency, and length of exercise will vary depending on an individual’s age, overall health, and physical ability.

The ideal targeted frequency for cancer prevention exercise is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.

Moderate-intensity activities encompass walking, cycling, and dancing, where you can still hold a conversation, but feel your heart rate and respiration slightly increase. On the other hand, vigorous activities, such as running, swimming, and tennis will still allow you to talk, but you feel out of breath, and your heart rate increases noticeably.

Resistance training is another excellent form of exercise that can benefit cancer prevention.

The activities involved in resistance training, from weightlifting to low-intensity workouts, stimulate muscle strength and improve metabolism, which in turn helps maintain a healthy weight vital to overall health.

Results of Exercise in Reducing Cancer Risk

Cancer prevention is a long-term process of consistently maintaining a healthy physical routine that includes proper diet, avoiding high-risk behavior, and regular exercise.

Research studies conducted on the effects of exercise on cancer in individuals show that engaging in physical activity can significantly reduce the incidence of getting cancer.

A clinical trial and observational study conducted by Ambs, A., et al. found out that physical activity reduces the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers.

The study showed that active individuals who engaged in either moderate or vigorous exercise, for at least 20 years, reduced their risk of getting lung cancer by approximately 26%.

Similarly, bowel cancer patients who engaged in physical activities regularly had a 31% reduced risk of death compared to sedentary individuals, according to research by Boyle, T., et al.

The study highlights that exercise enhances inflammation and oxidative stress, reducing cancer recurrence rates and mortality overall.

Conclusion

While exercise is not a sure method of preventing cancer, it is crucial to understand its benefits and how it impacts overall health positively. Exercise plays a crucial role in mitigating the major risks that trigger lung and bowel cancer.

Physical activity, if done correctly, can serve as an excellent preventative measure against cancer and a crucial tool in the effective management of cancer. Engaging in a healthy, balanced lifestyle has numerous benefits, including maintaining a healthy body weight, reducing inflammation, and reducing the incidence of cancer.