Hyderabad: A study published in European Urology has revealed that men who engage in vigorous exercises from the age of 40 years onwards are found to lower the risk of prostate cancer by 30 per cent.
Prostate cancer is one of the top 10 leading sites for cancer in India, according to the eight cancer registries based in the country.
The highest occurrences have been recorded in Delhi, Kolkata and Pune and the second highest have been found in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai, according to the Indian cancer registries.
The incidence is stated to be between two to three per cent but the maximum cases are reported at stage three and stage four.
The risk factors are aging, family history, genetic mutations, diet of red meat and obesity. Senior Surgical Oncologist at Yashoda Hospital, Dr K. Sreekanth said, “We have found that about 10 per cent of all diagnosed prostate cancers are hereditary. The other risk factors like hormonal changes in men with high testosterone levels for a long time are also found to have a significant impact on the development of this cancer. There are studies which have shown that men who underwent vasectomy were also found to develop prostate cancer.”
Obesity with a body mass index of 30 or higher can also increase the risk. There have been multiple studies of exercise and prostate cancer which have shown that it does help to reduce the risk to develop cancer.
The present study from Harvard Chan School, had scientists analyze data of 49,160 men between the ages of 40 to 75 years, and was followed up from 1986 to 2012. In the study, it was found that men who engaged in vigorous activity like running, bicycling, swimming, heavy outdoor work, sports like tennis or racquetball were found to reduce the risk by 30 per cent in developing the cancer.
Senior Consultant Urologist at Sunshine Hospital, Dr Ajit Vikram explained, “There is presently no proven method to prevent prostate cancer. Exercise and a balanced diet can help reduce the risk. But that does not mean that the other risk factors are eliminated. The other risk factors like genetic mutations and hereditary factors can also cause the cancer.”
