Relationship between fitness level and prostate cancer risk
A recent study conducted in Sweden suggests a potential link between fitness level and the risk of developing prostate cancer. The study of more than 57,000 Swedish men showed that men who improve their fitness may significantly reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer. This finding could have important implications for public health strategies aimed at reducing the risk of prostate cancer in men.
The role of regular exercise and cardiovascular fitness
This study found that regular exercise and improving your cardiovascular fitness can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by 35%. Activities that get your heart rate up, such as jogging, hiking, and swimming, can help improve your cardiovascular fitness, thereby reducing your risk of developing prostate cancer. However, no significant association was found between changes in cardiopulmonary function and risk of death from prostate cancer. This supports other research suggesting that improved cardiorespiratory fitness generally reduces the risk of death from cancer.
Small improvements in aerobic fitness can make a big difference
Interestingly, this study found that even small improvements in a man’s cardiovascular fitness each year can significantly reduce his risk of developing prostate cancer. Increasing your aerobic fitness capacity by more than 3% per year reduces your risk of prostate cancer by 35%. Men whose fitness increased by at least 3% per year were 35% less likely to develop prostate cancer than men whose fitness decreased. It is important to note that only men who had moderate fitness levels to begin with experienced a significant reduction in prostate cancer risk (about 15%).
Improve fitness and reduce prostate cancer risk
Improving your cardiovascular fitness by at least 3% each year for three years can reduce a man’s chance of developing prostate cancer by 35%. Men who improve their fitness, even by relatively small amounts, may significantly reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer. This is consistent with previous research linking exercise to a lower risk of cancer in general. If he does regular exercise such as running, cycling and swimming at least three times a week, his fitness level will improve.
Prostate cancer: common in men over 50
Prostate cancer is more common in men over 50, black men over 45, and men with a family history of prostate cancer. There are often no symptoms in the early stages, but symptoms tend to appear as the tumor grows and causes problems, such as frequent trips to the bathroom, a feeling of not being able to empty completely, and a weak flow. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise habits to prevent the risk of developing prostate cancer.