How Exercise Prevents Cancer

By Editorial Staff

Abundant research underscores the link between consistent physical activity and reduced cancer risk; but how does exercise make cancer more likely to strike? Researchers may have found the answer, at least when it comes to colon cancer. Let's go to the blackboard for a quick science lesson that will make you want to hit the gym immediately.

From a biochemical perspective, the "how" is actually fairly straightforward: physical activity appears to release a chemical called interleukin-6 (IL-6) into the bloodstream. IL-6 is known for its role in responding to inflammation and infection; in this case, researchers discovered it also helps repair the DNA of damaged cells.

In their study, which examined the risk of bowel cancer relative to physical activity, the researchers compared two groups of men with lifestyle risks for colon cancer, (including being physically inactive). The first group performed a single session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise intervals (indoor cycling; six 5-minute intervals at 60 percent of max. heart rate). The second group did not perform any exercise.

Blood samples were taken before and after the experiment to evaluate the increase in IL-6 with exercise (which did occur); and the impact of adding the blood samples with higher concentrations of IL-6 post-exercise to bowel cancer cells in a laboratory environment. Indeed, cancer cells mixed with blood samples collected immediately after exercise slowed cancer cell growth compared to blood samples collected at rest.

While the risk of getting colon cancer may seem relatively small (approximately four percent), you definitely don't want to be counted among the four percent, do you? Of course not. So get out there and exercise consistently; your colon (and the rest of your body) will thank you for it.