Move most days
Linked to lower risk of 13 cancer types in 1.4 million adults.
What studies found
Pooling 12 cohorts, the most active people had lower risk of 13 of 26 cancers, including colon, breast, endometrial, lung, liver, kidney and bladder, and 7% lower cancer risk overall. Most links held regardless of body weight.
The catch
This is observational. For lung cancer the National Cancer Institute calls the effect unclear, because smokers and nonsmokers differ in how active they are. The same study saw slightly more diagnosed prostate cancer and melanoma among the most active; for prostate, fitness studies point the other way.
What to do
Aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate activity a week. See the Exercise section.
Sources
Rung 5 of 5, Established: Large randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines. How we score
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the breast cancer and colorectal cancer pages.
Related
- Drink less alcohol, or noneRung 5 · EstablishedYou can do thisRung 5 · EstablishedPreventionYou can do this
- Keep a healthy weightRung 5 · EstablishedYou can do thisRung 5 · EstablishedPreventionYou can do this
- Risk-reducing medicines for women at high risk of breast cancerRung 5 · EstablishedWith your doctorSafety flagRung 5 · EstablishedPreventionWith your doctorSafety flag
- Stay tobacco-freeRung 5 · EstablishedYou can do thisRung 5 · EstablishedPreventionYou can do this
- Breastfeeding, if you canRung 4 · StrongYou can do thisRung 4 · StrongPreventionYou can do this