The evidence regarding regular exercise and cancer prevention isn’t exactly conclusive, however, as I’ve written about in past “60sec Reads”, regular exercise most certainly plays a huge role in preventing diseases that result from less than optimal lifestyle choices. And here’s the thing: more often than not, cancer develops due to lifestyle and environmental exposures, not because of genes - this is a common misconception about cancer. There have been plenty of studies performed about the effect regular exercise has on the risk of developing certain cancers, and each one tends to vary… For example, the statistics show that it can reduce people’s risk of developing colon cancer by about 20%, while it could decrease a woman’s risk of breast cancer by around 30-40%, [I don’t know whether studies have looked at possible differences in males vs. females for either of these cancers]. But the evidence suggests that, like Diabetes, even if it runs in your family, regular exercise can prevent cancer from ever developing in your body. That’s incredibly empowering information! Yes, our genes and our environment can increase our risk and likelihood of a cancer diagnosis, but the decisions we make every day hold just as much power - maybe more. It’s also worth noting that, worst case scenario, if you’re exercising regularly and still end up battling cancer, regular exercise before, during and after treatment will in fact reduce your risk of recurrence, as well as improve your quality of life during and after treatment. Basically, fighting disease or not, prioritizing your fitness will help you lead a happier, more fulfilling life - even if “the C-word” barges into it. So just move! That’s all you gotta do, kids!