<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_raon-2020-0063_s_006_w2aab3b7b7b1b6b1aab1c16b1Aa"><h3>Background</h3><p>Scientific evidence has shown that an increase in regular physical activity is associated with a decrease in the development of many types of cancer. Potential mechanisms that link physical activity to reduced cancer risk include a decrease in systemic inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), sex hormones, pro-inflammatory leptin and other obesity-related cytokines, and a significant increase in anti-inflammatory adiponectin levels. In addition, physical activity improves immune function and the composition and diversity of the gastrointestinal microbiota. Moderate physical activity is important for cancer protection, but the most significant changes in the inflammatory profile are conferred by physical activity performed at higher intensities. Thus, there is a need for further investigation into the type, intensity, and duration of physical activity for the prevention of some types of cancer and the development of effective recommendations.</p></sec><sec id="j_raon-2020-0063_s_007_w2aab3b7b7b1b6b1aab1c16b2Aa"><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>There is a strong evidence that physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity protects against colon and breast cancer, and probably against cancer at all other sites.</p></sec></abstract>

BackgroundScientific evidence has shown that an increase in regular physical activity is associated with a decrease in the development of many types of cancer. Potential mechanisms that link physical activity to reduced cancer risk include a decrease in systemic inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), sex hormones, pro-inflammatory leptin and other obesity-related cytokines, and a significant increase in anti-inflammatory adiponectin levels. In addition, physical activity improves immune function and the composition and diversity of the gastrointestinal microbiota. Moderate physical activity is important for cancer protection, but the most significant changes in the inflammatory profile are conferred by physical activity performed at higher intensities. Thus, there is a need for further investigation into the type, intensity, and duration of physical activity for the prevention of some types of cancer and the development of effective recommendations.ConclusionsThere is a strong evidence that physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity protects against colon and breast cancer, and probably against cancer at all other sites.

Physical activity and cancer risk. Actual knowledge and possible biological mechanisms

Radiology and Oncology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

BackgroundScientific evidence has shown that an increase in regular physical activity is associated with a decrease in the development of many types of cancer....

Physical activity and cancer risk. Actual knowledge and possible biological mechanisms

Article Category: Review

Published Online: Jan 12, 2021

Page range: 7 - 17

Received: Jul 11, 2020

Accepted: Sep 25, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2020-0063

© 2021 Mihaela Jurdana, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.