The DOI matches its Crossref record; 22 of the 24 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Physical activity and cancer prevention–data from epidemiologic studies
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to examine whether physical activity plays any role in the prevention of cancer. METHODS: To accomplish this, data from published epidemiologic studies on the relation between physical activity and the risk of developing cancer were reviewed. RESULTS: The data are clear in showing that physically active men and women have about a 30-40% reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer, compared with inactive persons. Although the data are sparse, it appears that 30-60 min.d(-1) of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity is needed to decrease risk. There is a dose-response relation, with risk declining further at higher levels of physical activity. It is also clear that physical activity is not associated with the risk of developing rectal cancer. With regard to breast cancer, there is reasonably clear evidence that physically active women have about a 20-30% reduction in risk, compared with inactive women. It also appears that 30-60 min.d(-1) of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity is needed to decrease the risk of breast cancer, and that there is likely a dose-response relation. For prostate cancer, the data are inconsistent regarding whether physical activity plays any role in the prevention of this cancer. There are relatively few studies on physical activity and lung cancer prevention. The available data suggest that physically active individuals have a lower risk of lung cancer; however, it is difficult to completely account for cigarette smoking. There is little information on the role of physical activity in preventing other cancers. CONCLUSION: Physical activity is associated with lower risk of developing certain site-specific cancers, in particular colon and breast cancers.
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“Observational studies suggest that exercise plays an important role in preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer,30 31 the two major causes of death among older adults.”
From Effect of exercise training for five years on all cause mortality in older adults—the Generation 100 study: randomised controlled trial (2020) · cites this paper as [31]
In the citing paper
“Evidence from observational epidemiologic studies consistently shows that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a lower risk of colon, postmenopausal breast, and endometrial cancer (17,36,37).”
From Diabetes and Cancer (2010) · cites this paper as [36]
Citations
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“In another review, Lee [ 2 ] concluded from 36 studies that the data were inconsistent as to the value of exercise for the prevention of PCa.”
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Metadata
- Authors
- LEE, I.-M.
- Affiliations
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- LEE, I-MIN
- ORCID
- LEE, I-MIN
- Venue
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Published
- 2003-11
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1823-1827
- ISSN
- 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2034424159
- Cited by
- 436
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 9.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Cancer Institute (R03CA091213, CA-91213)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Risks and Factors
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Metabolism, Diabetes, and Cancer
- Keywords
- physical activity, cancer prevention, colon cancer, rectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, dose-response relationship, moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise, cancer risk
- MeSH terms
- Breast Neoplasms, Colonic Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Male, Motor Activity, Prostatic Neoplasms, Rectal Neoplasms, Risk, Exercise
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