Posted May 8, 2011
Geneva (dpa) – Studies have shown that regular exercise lowers the risk of developing cancer. Combined with a balanced diet and healthy body weight, it can cut the risk by up to a third, according to data from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The lower risk applies to diseases such as breast and intestinal cancer as well as heart disease and diabetes.
Adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. “This can be achieved by simply walking 30 minutes five times per week or by cycling to work daily,” remarked Tim Armstrong, from the WHO’s Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion. He said a light exercise programme was advisable for people of all ages.
Each year, according to the WHO, 12.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer and 7.6 million die from the disease.