Exercising This Much Could Prevent Multiple Types of Cancer, New Study Finds - msnNOW

The study's authors, comprised of researchers from the American Cancer Society and the Rollins School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology at Emory University, found that participating in five or more hours of exercise each week reduced the risk of breast, bladder, colon, endometrial, esophageal, kidney, and stomach cancer.

The study determined that, based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data reviewed, 16.9% of stomach cancer cases, 11.9% of endometrial cancer cases, 11% of kidney cancer cases, 9.3% of colon cancer cases, 8.1% of esophageal cancer cases, 6.5% of breast cancer cases in women, and 3.9% of urinary bladder cancers were linked to physical inactivity.

The study's authors noted, "Over 46,000 cancer cases annually could be potentially avoided if the American population met the recommended 5 hours/week of moderate-intensity (or 15 (MET)-hours/week) physical activity.".

Southern states, including Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia, had the largest proportion of cancers associated with physical inactivity, while Northern and Western States, including Montana, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, had the lowest number of cancer cases attributed to physical inactivity.