Mounting research evidence supports the role of an active lifestyle in the prevention of certain types of cancer including breast and colon cancer.

There are several observational studies supporting the association between physical activity and reduced cancer morbidity and mortality. The Nurses Health Study analyzed health, disease and behavioral characteristics for a large population of nurses in the US over many years. Researchers found that, looking at a subgroup of nurses who were diagnosed with breast cancer, the likelihood of recurrence, death from breast cancer, or death from other causes was 26-40% lower for nurses who included a moderate amount of physical activity (eg walking 3-5 hours/week at 2.5-2.9 mph). Holmes, et al., Journal of the American Medical Association 293:2497-2486, 2005).

Similarly, colorectal cancer risk and recurrence have been linked to a sedentary lifestyle. Evidence indicates that not only does one reduce the likelihood of getting colorectal cancer, but the risk of the disease recurring was less if activity level was equivalent to doing 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity most days of the week (Meyerhardt et al., Journal of Clinical Oncology 24:3527-3524, 2006.