Newswise — Tough economic times are causing many people to tighten the belt on personal finances. But trimming fat from the budget, such as cancelling gym memberships, doesn’t have to lead to an expanding waistline. Experts at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute offer the following free and low-cost strategies to help maintain good health as well as possibly reduce various cancer risks.
Get walking
Staying fit and healthy can be as simple as lacing up a pair of sneakers and going for a walk. Moderate to intensive aerobic exercise, according to studies, also can reduce the risk of recurrence of several cancers, including colon and breast.
“You don’t have to be a marathon runner, but the more you exercise, typically the greater the beneficial effect,” says Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH, a Dana-Farber gastrointestinal cancer specialist.
A study by Meyerhardt found that colon cancer survivors who exercised regularly had a 40 to 50 percent reduction in the risk of recurrence or dying. “The most consistent evidence we have so far for reducing the risk of several types of cancer is exercise and avoiding becoming obese.”
Meyerhardt says there are many free or inexpensive ways to workout, but recommends consulting a doctor first. Some tips include:
- Using the stairs rather than an elevator.
- Walking or riding a bike rather than driving.
- Taking an exercise break or quick walk at work.
- Playing a team sport.
- Using a stationary bicycle or treadmill while watching TV.
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