New research shows that regular physical activity can dramatically reduce the risk of cancer as long as it is combined with adequate sleep
James McClain, PhD, MPH, and colleagues reviewed data on nearly 6,000 women to examine the importance of physical activity and sleep for cancer prevention. Results showed that the most physically active women – those getting at least one hour of moderately physical exercise each day – were 47% less likely to develop cancer, but only if they slept for at least seven hours each night. Sleeping for less than seven hours each night negated most of the protective effects of physical activity on cancer risk.
“Greater participation in physical activity has consistently been associated with reduced risk of cancer incidence at several sites, including breast and colon cancers,” said McClain in a news release. “Current findings suggest that sleep duration modifies the relationship between physical activity and all-site cancer risk among young and middle-aged women.”
News release: Exercise and Rest Reduce Cancer Risk. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). November 11th 2008.
