Cancer and Physical Activity
Cancer is a variety of diseases made up of the growth and spread of abnormal cells. Scientific evidence suggests that nearly one-third of the 577,190 cancer deaths that were expected to arise in 2012 were correlated to being overweight or obese, being physically inactive, and had poor nutrition habits. (cancer.org) In 2012, over 1.6 million cancer cases were diagnosed, and of those cases, it was estimated that 577,190+ Americans died from cancer diagnosis, and today, is the second leading cause of death just behind heart disease. According National Institute of Health, billions of dollars are spent.
Physical activity has been shown to have a positive correlation on cancer prevention as well showing positive effects when patients are undergoing treatment for cancer. Colorectoral cancer is one of the most researched diseases with the relation to physical activity. According to the National Cancer Institute, many studies have found that adults who increased their physical activity for duration, intensity, or frequency, reduced the likelihood of developing colon cancer by 30-40% compared to adults who maintain a sedentary lifestyle regardless of what the individual’s body mass index (BMI) shows.
No individual is exempt from cancer, including professional athletes. When Lance Armstrong began his treatment for testicular cancer in 1996, he was given a 40% chance of surviving as his cancer spread from his testicle to his lungs, abdomen, and brain. Instead of giving in, Lance took it upon himself to fight the battle. For two years, Lance underwent treatment for the spreading cancer and in 1998, three years after his diagnosis; Lance went on to win 7 consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999-2005.