February is Cancer Prevention Month, and it is no surprise that exercise is important to reduce the risk of many cancers. For example:
• Bowel cancer: exercise can help waste pass through more quickly, reducing contact with cancer-causing agents.
• Breast cancer: high activity levels may lower the level of estrogen in the body.
• Tumor growth: active bodies produce less insulin and insulin-like growth factors that speed tumor growth.
Up to 1 hour of moderate activity daily or 30 minutes of vigorous activity is recommended to cut your cancer risk. '
• Moderate intensity activity' is anything causing a slight but noticeable increase in breathing and heart rate (like brisk walking, mowing the lawn, medium-paced swimming or cycling).
• 'Vigorous activity' makes you 'huff and puff'. It can be defined as exercise at 70% to 85% of your maximum heart rate and includes activities like football, squash, netball, basketball, aerobics, circuit training, jogging, fast cycling and rowing.
How can you be active every day?
• See exercise as an opportunity, not an inconvenience.
• Walk whenever possible or walk during your lunchbreaks.
• Walk or cycle to work and walk upstairs instead of taking the elevator.
• Do vigorous housework like vacuuming or mowing the lawn.
Source: https://www.cancervic.org.au/preventing-cancer/be-...

• Tags:
• Fitness