A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that walking regularly can lower the risk of developing 13 types of cancer. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Oxford tracked over 85,000 adults for an average of 5.8 years and found a significant association between daily step count and reduced cancer risk.
According to Dr. Steven Quay, lead researcher and a scientist-physician, “More movement, in any form, seems to matter.” The study showed that even light activity, not just vigorous workouts, was linked to lower cancer risk. Participants who walked 7,000 steps per day had an 11% lower cancer risk compared to those who walked only 5,000 steps.
However, the study also found that once a certain step count threshold (around 9,000 steps) is reached, further increases in activity do not appear to have a significant impact on cancer risk. This challenges traditional recommendations of at least 10,000 daily steps.
Experts emphasize the importance of daily movement and its potential benefits for cancer prevention. “It’s a reminder that small changes, like more walking or standing, might yield long-term benefits,” says Dr. Quay. The study highlights the need for further research to better understand the specific relationships between exercise habits and cancer risk.
Source: https://www.prevention.com/health/a64540042/study-walking-lowers-cancer-risk