More Reasons to Exercise

It's never too late to begin to exercise. In one study, those with advanced colon cancer who exercised regularly more than doubled their disease-free survival time.

If you have been diagnosed with polyps -- cancerous or benign -- you now have an incentive to make some different lifestyle choices.

•Stop smoking and limit your use of alcohol.
Exposing yourself to these known toxins can cause cell damage that promotes cancer. A recent study shows that alcohol and tobacco users developed colorectal cancer an average of 7.8 years earlier (age 63.2 years in women and 62.1 years in men) than those who never drank alcohol or smoked.

•Eat a balanced, low-fat diet with fruits and vegetables.
Studies show that a Mediterranean diet low in red meat and saturated fat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables is associated with overall health, including colon health. This also reduces inflammation, which is now associated with many diseases including cancer.

•Keep an appropriate weight for your age and body type.
Studies show that those who are overweight are at higher risk for colorectal cancer, and being very obese increases that risk by 50% for men and by 80% for women.

•Make daily exercise a habit.
People who exercise are at lower risk for colorectal cancer and appear to have a reduced risk of polyps.

Data from two recent studies show that after cancer diagnosis, vigorous exercise significantly increases disease-free survival and lowers recurrence risks.


source:Johns Hopkins Health Alerts