Even Slight Increase in Cardio Fitness May Drastically Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk

A modest improvement in a man’s cardio fitness could substantially lower the likelihood of developing prostate cancer, according to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The research, led by Dr. Kate Bolam, an exercise oncology researcher at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences GIH in Stockholm, revealed that an annual increase in aerobic fitness of 3% or more correlated with a remarkable 35% reduction in prostate cancer risk.

The study, examining the records of nearly 58,000 men in a national occupational health profile database, emphasized the need to encourage improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness for adult men. Those who experienced a 3% or more yearly increase in fitness were 35% less likely to develop prostate cancer than their counterparts with declining fitness. While fitness level did not significantly impact the risk of dying from prostate cancer, men with a moderate fitness level at the beginning of the study saw about a 15% reduction in prostate cancer risk.

The findings highlight the potential benefits of enhancing cardio fitness for overall health, specifically in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. The study’s insights contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the positive impact of physical activity on cancer risk.