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Exercising in year before diagnosis can cut odds of cancer progressing study
08/01/2025
Exercising in the year before a cancer diagnosis can reduce the odds of the disease progressing by up to 27%, a study has suggested.
The promotion of exercise “can yield important benefits”, researchers said, not only in cancer progression but also in the prevention and management of the disease.
The South African study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, included 28,248 people with stage one cancers, the most common being breast and prostate.
Cancer progressed in 34.5% of patients. Some 81% survived, although 19% died before the end of the study.
The average time to death was 20 months and the average time to progression was seven months.
Activity was recorded using fitness devices, logged gym sessions and participation in organised fitness events.
The levels of exercise in the 12 months before diagnosis were categorised as no physical activity, low physical activity – less than 60 minutes a week – and moderate to high physical activity of more than 60 minutes a week.
Some 62% of patients recorded no exercise, with 13% categorised as taking part in low levels of physical activity and 25% taking part in moderate or high levels.
Researchers found those who engaged in low levels of exercise reduced the odds of cancer progression by 16% compared to those who did no physical activity.
Meanwhile, the odds among those who took part in moderate to high levels of exercise were 27% lower.
Researchers suggested that public health guidance “should encourage individuals to engage in physical activity to not only prevent cancer but to mitigate the risk of cancer progression”.
They added: “Physical activity may be considered to confer substantial benefits in terms of progression and overall mortality to those diagnosed with cancer.
“In a world where cancer continues to be a significant public health burden, the promotion of physical activity can yield important benefits regarding the progression of cancer as well as its prevention and management.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub