BENEFITS OF WALKING INCLUDE REDUCED CANCER RISK

What physical activities do people actually perform on a regular basis? Numerous studies, performed over many years, continue to report walking is the most accessible and appropriate activity as a form of exercise for most Americans.

A recent analysis of the benefits of exercise for various types of cancer reveal some uncertain associations. Certainly the evidence is strong for reducing one’s risk of breast and colorectal cancer, but for many others, the evidence is weak. Naturally, this simply means we haven’t been able to define any particular association with studies of this type on human beings and their complex lives. Because of the multitude of factors, these are extraordinarily difficult and expensive to perform for any significant duration, which are the kind that provide “big picture” determinations.

For some it is helpful to think of physical activity as a process. Find things you like to do that require sustained effort to perform. Work them into your daily life in a way that you are able to sustain.  Too often people refer to exercise as medicine, but this usually has a negative association. It shouldn’t be thought of as a prescription, but as a way to attain some level of fulfillment, vitality, perhaps even joy.