| Friday,
September 5, 2008
Dear
Friends,
Although
summer seems like it may be coming to an end all too quickly,
there is still plenty of time to get out for a bike ride and
explore this great Valley. The Cancer Survivor Center is
not only a promoter of physical activity at all levels and
ages, but is also a cycling advocate. Because of this, we
would like to share an article from “Bicycling” magazine on
the benefits of cycling and cancer prevention. The article
summarizes a research study published by the British Journal
of Cancer on June 3, 2008.
Bike
For Your Life
By
Matt Allyn
Biking just half an hour a day reduces risk of cancer by
34 percent according to a new Swedish report published in
the British Journal of Cancer. The study, which
looked at more than 40,000 Scandinavian men ages 45-79, found
a direct relationship between the amount of time men spent
cycling and the risk of being diagnosed with cancer and their
cancer recovery rate.
The researchers compared responses from the men with seven
years of medical records and the group's 3700 cancer cases
to find the association. In addition to the reduction in cancer
incidence, daily cyclists were also 33 percent more likely
to survive and recover from cancer. And for each hour of moderate
exercise, risk of cancer mortality dropped by 12 percent.
The researchers say
it's clear that increased activity leads to a longer life,
but they point out the exact effects of exercise on cancer
are still uncertain.
Either way, you can add this to the myriad of cycling's health
benefits such as lower blood pressure, cardiovascular health,
reduced stress and bone strength.
(To
read the research article abstract, please read “Association
of physical activity with cancer incidence, mortality, and
survival: a population-based study of men” published within
the British Journal of Cancer.)
************************************************************************
“We
Can All Make a Difference If We Just Stand Up.”
The
Lance Armstrong Foundation will be hosting a one-hour telecast
this Friday, September 5, 2008 on ABC, NBC, and CBS. At 8pm
(EST), LAF will host a one of a kind fundraiser with celebrities
from film, television, sports, journalism and music to help
raise money for cancer research. For more information on
the event, please visit www.laf.org
************************************************************************
Training
Tip
This
week, we would like to offer you a training tip on cycling.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate
to contact one of our Cancer Exercise Specialists.
Training
Tip: We are clearly advocates of cycling as a way to
increase physical fitness and aerobic capacity for cancer
survivors (with Lance Armstrong as a role model, it's hard
not to be). If you want to participate in cycling and haven't
ridden a bicycle in a while, consider purchasing a hybrid
bike which looks like a mix between a mountain bike and a
traditional road bike. In many instances, bike shops can
set up a hybrid bike so that you have the ease of riding on
the road but are sitting more upright for better balance and
less back strain. This is ideal if you are not particularly
comfortable riding a bike or have not been on one in a while.
If
you need help getting back into cycling during and post cancer
treatment, please feel free to contact the staff here at the
Cancer Survivor Center. We are experts in the field of cycling
and can assist you with ideas about how to get riding out
on the road.
In
health,
Riggs
|
