Researchers in South Africa have embarked on a study to explore the role of physical activity in influencing cancer progression. Their primary objective was to address the scarcity of data in this domain and fill a crucial knowledge gap. The research focused on participants diagnosed with stage 1 cancer, who were part of the Vitality program for at least one year before their diagnosis. This program, linked to the Discovery Health Medical Scheme, promotes health-positive behaviors such as regular physical activity.
The Vitality program categorizes physical activity levels into three distinct groups: none, low (1-59 minutes per week), and moderate to high (one hour or more per week). Alarmingly, 60% of the study's participants fell into the 'no physical activity' category. The study revealed that individuals engaging in no physical activity had a 91% survival rate when considering all-cause death. By contrast, those with moderate to high physical activity enjoyed a slightly higher survival rate of 95%.
Two years post-diagnosis, participants who maintained moderate to high levels of physical activity before their diagnosis exhibited an 80% probability of neither dying nor experiencing cancer progression to more advanced stages. Comparatively, those who did not engage in physical activity demonstrated a 74% chance of avoiding death or cancer advancement.
The study underscores the significant association between pre-diagnosis physical activity and reduced risks of cancer progression and mortality.
“With cancers being diagnosed earlier and an increasing incidence, accessible interventions that may positively influence prognosis are more relevant than ever. Knowing that as little as 60 minutes of regular weekly exercise may reduce the likelihood of cancer progression by 27% and death by 47%, should encourage all doctors to use exercise as medicine.” – McTiernan
This statement highlights the potential of exercise as a preventative measure and a crucial element in cancer management strategies.
However, there are limitations in generalizing these findings across the entire South African population, as the study primarily involved individuals with access to private health insurance. In South Africa, this demographic predominantly comprises individuals of white and Asian descent. Consequently, the outcomes may not accurately reflect the broader population's experience.
“The population was from an insurance database […] The database was developed for insurance, not research. So other variables that could explain associations between exercise and prognosis (completion of cancer therapies, weight, smoking, etc) were largely not available,” – McTiernan
This acknowledgment points out potential gaps in the research due to its reliance on insurance data rather than comprehensive clinical data.
Despite these limitations, the study reveals critical insights into how even minimal exercise can substantially impact cancer outcomes. As little as 60 minutes of weekly exercise has been found to reduce the risk of cancer progressing by 27% and decrease mortality by 47%. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily routines as a preventive measure against cancer.
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