Cancer is a terrifying diagnosis for anyone. While there are many causes of cancer that you can’t control, like genetics and environmental factors, there are things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting cancer.

One of the best things you can do is to get moving. Here are four ways that you can reduce your risk of cancer through exercise.

1. Exercise Helps to Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight has been linked to many types of cancer, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, which can help reduce your risk of these types of cancer.

When you exercise, you burn calories, and you also build muscle. Muscle requires more calories to maintain than fat does, so if you have more muscle mass, you’ll burn more calories throughout the day. You don’t need to do a lot of exercise to start seeing results.

Even just 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, five days a week can help you maintain a healthy weight.

2. Exercise Boosts Your Immune System

Your immune system is your body’s defense against cancer cells. Exercise can help boost your immune system by increasing the number and activity of your immune cells.

Exercise can also help reduce inflammation in your body, which can help prevent the growth of cancer cells. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Running, cycling, and swimming are all great examples of vigorous exercise.

3. Exercise Reduces Your Risk of Certain Cancers

Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

Exercise can help reduce the levels of hormones, like estrogen and insulin, that are linked to the growth of these types of cancer cells. Exercise can also help reduce the time it takes for food to move through your digestive system, which can reduce your risk of colon cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, five days a week.

4. Exercise Improves Your Overall Health

Exercise is good for your overall health, and this includes reducing your risk of cancer. Exercise can help reduce your risk of other chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, which can also increase your risk of cancer.

Exercise can also help reduce stress and improve your mental health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.

Conclusion

Getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, boost your immune system, reduce your risk of certain types of cancer, and improve your overall health.

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, and make sure to choose activities that you enjoy so that you’re more likely to stick with them over the long term.