A new study has found that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, analyzed data from over 750,000 adults and found that those who engaged in regular physical activity had a lower risk of developing 13 different types of cancer compared to those who were less active.

The study found that the most significant risk reductions were associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma, liver cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and myeloid leukemia. The researchers also noted that the protective effects of exercise were evident across a wide range of body mass indexes (BMI) and were consistent in both men and women.

According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Steven Moore, the findings provide strong evidence that regular exercise is associated with a reduced risk of many types of cancer. He emphasized the importance of engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week to achieve these benefits.

The study’s results add to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of regular exercise in reducing the risk of cancer. While the exact mechanisms behind this protective effect are not fully understood, it is believed that physical activity may help regulate hormone levels, improve immune function, and reduce inflammation, all of which can contribute to lowering cancer risk.

Given the significant impact of cancer on public health, these findings underscore the importance of promoting and supporting regular physical activity at the population level. Encouraging individuals to incorporate exercise into their daily routines could have substantial benefits in reducing the burden of cancer worldwide.