Exercise a 'wonder drug' that cuts cancer rates

Doctors should take a leading role in encouraging their patients to do more exercise, the chairwoman of the UK's Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has warned.

Professor Sue Bailey said physical activity should be classed as a “wonder drug”, with the chance of developing some common cancers reduced by as much as 45% by a little regular exercise.

She made the comments in a foreword to a report by the academy into the importance of physical activity, regardless of whether or not it is linked to weight loss.

Billions could be saved if people did 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week, the report said.

The risk of breast cancer could be reduced by as much as 25%, while the chances of getting bowel cancer could be lowered by as much as 45%.

Heart disease could be cut by 40%, while the risk of developing dementia could be lowered by 30%, the same percentage as stroke.

The report followed analysis of more than 200 separate pieces of research, including studies that found that 80% of obese patients had never discussed their weight with their GP and that twice as many deaths were due to inactivity than were due to obesity on its own.