Men who exercise ‘less likely to die from cancer’

ACTIVE men are less likely to die from cancer than couch potatoes, recent research has shown.

Men who take regular moderate exercise have a 34% lower chance of dying from cancer than those who do not, say scientists.

Researchers in Sweden monitored the health and physical activity levels of 40,708 men aged 45 and 79 for seven years.

During that time, 3,714 of the participants developed cancer and 1,153 died from their disease.

The findings showed that exercise had a significant influence on cancer survival and a smaller impact on incidence.

Men who walked or cycled at least 30 minutes a day were 34% less likely to die from cancer than less active men.

The same activities only led to a 5% reduction in cancer rates.

However, a programme of walking and cycling for between an hour and an hour and a half a day was associated with a 16% lower cancer incidence.

Study leader Professor Alicja Wolk, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, said: “These results clearly show for the first time, the effect that very simple and basic daily exercise such as walking or cycling has in reducing cancer death risk in middle-age and elderly men.

“This study threw up some promising data on the role exercise can play in preventing cancer which we would like to explore further.”

The research was published yesterday in the British Journal of Cancer.

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at the charity Cancer Research UK, which publishes the journal, said: “This study gives us a clear indication that men who exercise are less likely to die from cancer, and they are more likely to survive the disease if they get it.

“It’s encouraging to see research that helps us understand in more detail what steps men can take to reduce the risk of cancer.

“It’s not entirely clear from this study what role exercise plays in preventing cancer in men, but we do know a healthy lifestyle can prevent up to half of all cancers — and regular exercise forms a key part of this. Cancer Research UK recommends maintaining a healthy body weight, eating sensibly and taking regular exercise as key to a healthy life — along with avoiding smoking.

“People must take into account their own level of fitness and build up their exercise carefully.”