Physical activity and cancer risk
Being physically active can help reduce your risk of cancer. A summary of the evidence surrounding physical activity and cancer risk is outlined below.
| Level of evidence | Reduces risk of: |
| Convincing* |
|
| Probable* |
|
*Click on word for definition (in a new window).
(Source: World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective. Washington DC: AICR, 2007)
Regular physical activity will help protect against bowel cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer and endometrial (lining of the uterus or womb) cancer.
Because being active helps achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, it indirectly helps protect against cancers related to being overweight or obese. These include:
- Oesophageal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Breast cancer (in women who have had their menopause)
- Endometrial cancer (lining of the womb or uterus)
- Kidney cancer
To find out more about how physical activity can reduce your cancer risk see the resources below:
- Cancer Council Australia's position statement on Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention
- Cancer Council WA's Physical Activity To Reduce Your Risk of Cancer brochure
