Any kind of activity reduces the risk of cancer, will remain safe throughout life, reveals NIH study.

Cancer Risk and Activity: Cancer is such a disease that one feels scared as soon as one hears its name. A new research has shown a ray of hope. A study by America’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) has revealed that if you do even a little physical activity during the day, the risk of cancer can be reduced to a great extent. That means there is no need to work hard or go to the gym for hours, just doing some light activities daily can be beneficial.

This NIH study found that people who did a few minutes of light physical activity every day, such as walking, climbing stairs or doing small household chores, had a much lower risk of developing many types of cancer. Especially this effect was seen more in cancer related to liver, lung and intestine.

This research proves that even small changes in healthy lifestyle can make a big difference. If we add a few minutes of physical activity to our day, we can not only avoid cancer but can also make our entire life better and longer.

10 minute activity to prevent cancer

The NIH study looked at data from more than 2 million people. It found that light physical activity, such as walking 4 to 10 minutes a day, running errands or climbing stairs, can reduce the risk of cancer by 30%. It was also observed in the study that people who sit all day and do not do any activity have a higher risk of cancer. This research was published in 2024 and scientists have described it as very strong and reliable.

Walking is the key to health

According to NIH research, a greater effect of light activity was seen on certain types of cancer. The risk was found to be low in liver cancer, lung cancer, colon (large intestine) cancer and breast cancer. Those who did just 7-10 minutes of light physical activity daily had about 18% to 30% less chance of developing these cancers. That means these simple habits can protect you from major diseases.

What are easy ways to stay active?

If you think you don’t have time to exercise, don’t worry. NIH research says even light physical activity works. Such as taking the stairs instead of the lift in the office, parking the car a little away from the parking lot and walking, walking for 5 minutes 2-3 times a day, sweeping and mopping, working in the kitchen, etc. All these works keep the body active and benefit health.

Some other changes to avoid cancer

Light physical activity helps prevent cancer, but this alone is not enough. Apart from this, healthy diet, staying away from smoking, reducing alcohol and regular health checkups are also important. NIH report also states that small changes in lifestyle like getting enough sleep and reducing stress also keep the body healthy. Cancer prevention is possible only by adopting all these habits.

Give up the habit of sitting from today onwards

NIH research shows that even just 4-10 minutes of light physical activity daily can be very beneficial. This means that if you change your habit of sitting in one place and move around a little, then the chances of cancer cells forming in your body reduces. This result is especially important for those people who remain sitting on the chair the whole day while working.