Physical Activity and Reduction of Colon

Cancer Risk

Physical Activity vs. Exercise

Physical Activity• Any form of movement

using skeletal muscles.• Movement required for

daily life.– Occupational physical activity

• Activities done for enjoyment.

Exercise• Physical training

– Recreational physical activity

• Aerobic or anaerobic• Higher intensities

Benefits of Physical Activity

• Physical activity can help maintain and/or reduce weight

• It helps to maintain and/or reduce body mass index (BMI) – Underweight < 18.5– Normal = 18.5- 24.9– Overweight = 25.0-29.9– Obesity > 30

Benefits Continued

• Helps us burn excess calories instead of turning into fat

• Increases lean muscle• Helps retain and strengthen bone • Strengthens the immune system• Enhances mental and emotional well being

Definitions

• Risk- The likelihood of developing cancer based on lifestyle choices and family history

• Prevention- Lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of cancer

• Recurrence- The return of cancer after treatment

Definitions

• Colon cancer- cancer in the ascending, transverse, descending, or sigmoid colon

• Rectal cancer- cancer in the rectum• Colorectal cancer- refers to both colon and

rectal cancers

Color on Map Interval

Light green 34.3 to 42.0

Medium green 42.1 to 45.8

Medium blue 45.9 to 48.9

Dark blue 49.0 to 56.9

Light Grey Did not meet USCS data quality criteria

*Rates are per 100,000 and are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.

†Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2007 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.

Colorectal Cancer Incidence Rates,* by State, 2007

American Institute for Cancer Research Summary

• Strong evidence that physical activity reduces colon cancer risk

• Less strong for rectal cancer

Physical Activity and Risk of Colon and Rectal Cancers: Europe

• Objective– To examine the effects of physical activity on

colon and rectal cancer incidence in a large European study

Study Design

• 413,044 participants from 10 European countries– 35 to 70 year old men and women

• Completed a questionnaire– diet, lifestyle, medical history and physical activity

• Repeated questionnaire after– diagnosis of colon cancer, death, or 10 years

Results

• As physical activity increased the risk for colon cancer decreased– regardless of type of activity

• Normal weight individuals had the greatest decrease in colon cancer risk with physical activity

• Increased physical activity reduced risk for all body sizes

Leisure-Time Physical Activity, Body Size, and Colon Cancer in Women

• Objective– To examine effects of physical activity

(recreational) on the risk of colon cancer• BMI, and body fat distribution

Study Design

• Women in the Nurse’s health study• Every 2 years completed questionnaire– Personal and medical information– Time spent per week doing physical activities

• Colon cancer confirmed by hospital records

Results

• BMI ≥ 29 (obesity) associated with a 50% increase in risk of colon cancer

• Increased recreational physical activity linked to decrease in colon cancer

• Walking 1 hour per day = 46% reduction in the risk of colon cancer

Take Home

• Keep a healthy body weight to reduce risk of colon cancer.

• Physical activity doesn’t have to be intense to have an effect– Just one hour of walking a day can reduce your

risk for colon cancer– Any form of physical activity will help to reduce

you risk

The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association

recommend

30 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise 5 days a week

andstrength- training exercises twice a week

Summary

• Physical activity has many benefits – Maintains healthy weight

• Physical activity reduces cancer risk – moderate is good but vigorous is better– Daily and consistent