Exercise and Ovarian Cancer
Exercise has been linked to a drop in the risk of breast, lung and colorectal cancers. Harvard University did a large study involving 17,000 men who burned 500 or less calories a week with exercise, and showed that the cancer death rate was 15 to 20% lower than in men who did not exercise. Men who burned 2,000 calories a week had an even lower cancer death rate of about 35%. Researchers found that the more exercise cancer patients did, to a certain limit, the lower their risk of an earlier death from cancer or heart disease.
For women, not all of these types of similar studies have shown this marked of an effect. However, we know that those who join in recreational exercise showed an overall reduced risk of ovarian, cervical, uterine and breast cancers. Women who engaged in the lowest level of physical activity had a four times higher chance of developing cancer.
Women who exercise also tend to have overall healthy lifestyles, adding to a lower risk of cancer.
Can one exercise too much? A study of marathon runners proved that a routine of high-intensity for a long period of time actually increases the stress-related hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, which make the immune system weak. Moderate exercise is better for overall health rather than the high-intensity type of workouts. It should be noted that just because you exercise regularly it does not stop the negative effects of an unhealthy diet or excess stress.
It is however important to remember that cancer patients may already be weak from various chemotherapy treatments and so must be careful when participating in any form of exercise. The fatigue that cancer treatments cause can be increased with exercise thus tiring one out. So, work with a professional and listen to their advice. Beginning any form of exercise should be discussed with a physician and physical training team to weigh the risk and benefits when undergoing cancer treatment.
