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Our recent podcast with Bloomberg News' Jason Kelly explored how fitness connects with workplace wellness.

Now the American Society of Clinical Oncology has raised an important question about the benefits of exercise in helping reduce cancer risks — and the answer might encourage companies to consider the role fitness plays in their workplace wellness program design.

ASCO Expert Dr. Charles Ryan states: “Although the data vary by different cancer types, there is a consistent trend suggesting that moderate daily exercise has a beneficial effect on preventing certain cancers. Given this there is little reason for a healthy adult to not incorporate regular exercise into their daily routine.”

Dr. Ryan writes: “Can and should people with cancer exercise through their treatment and beyond, into survivorship? A growing body of research suggests the answer is yes to all of the above.”

“The role of exercise and physical activity in cancer prevention has been studied extensively, particularly for breast and colon cancers. Dozens of epidemiologic and clinical studies have shown that people who have a physically active lifestyle may be less likely to develop some of the most common and deadly cancers than those who are sedentary.”

Various cancers reviewed include:

• Breast Cancer: “While the amount of risk reduction varies among studies (20-80%), most suggest that 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise per day lowers breast cancer risk. Women who are physically active throughout their life appear to benefit the most, but those who increase physical activity after menopause also fare better than inactive women.”
• Colon Cancer: “Research suggests that people who increase their physical activity can lower the chance of developing colon cancer by 30 to 40% relative to sedentary adults.”
• Endometrial, Lung and Ovarian Cancer: “Although less consistent, research suggests that physical activity possibly reduces the risk of ovarian and prostate cancer.”
• What about Other Cancers? “While observational data on the benefits of exercise for prevention of the types of cancers listed above are fairly consistent, evidence of the effects of exercise on prevention of any other type of cancer either is either insufficient or inconsistent.”

His conclusion: “While we wait for confirmation and clarity on the role of exercise in preventing all the 200+ types of cancer – should doctors prescribe exercise? The answer is simple: yes, because evidence of the protective role of exercise is already strong for some of the most common cancers.”