PHYSICAL EXERCISE - A PILLAR FOR CANCER PREVENTION

Both epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that physical exercise deserves particular attention in any consideration of approa ches to the prevention of neoplasia, especially since it also exerts c onsistent beneficial effects on the other major chronic diseases preva lent in the Western world, atherosclerosis and non-insulin dependent d iabetes mellitus (NIDDM), The organ sites for which strong evidence ha s been gained for a protective influence of exercise or an elevated ri sk with a sedentary existence include the colon, prostate, breast and endometrium, The underlying mechanisms appear to centre on the hormone s insulin and oestrogen, serum elevation of both of these endocrine fa ctors being associated with increased risk of neoplastic development. The immense potential benefit of an increased level of exercise in the general population suggests that commensurate measures should be take n in the field of cancer education. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishe rs.