Cancer and Physical Activity Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body.

Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells forget how to die. There are many different kinds of cancer. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue. In developing countries like Pakistan, the ratio of cancer is very high and 320,000 new cancer cases are reported in the country every year. Breast cancer is very common among women, while head, neck and throat cancer between men and leukemia and lymphoma among children. According to Breast Cancer Awareness Programme (BCAP) National Coordinator Omer Aftab, presently one out of eight women in the country is suffering from breast cancer. Pakistan tops the Asian countries in terms of prevalence of breast cancer that stands for 38.5 percent of all female cancer patients. Young women are more vulnerable to this deadly disease, There are only 20 cancer hospitals in the country. There are many suggestions to curtail the rates of these diseases, like Cancer registry, national cancer policy based upon health experts views, public awareness programme about physical activity. Higher levels of fitness have had a profound impact on the humans quality of life and life span. Physical activity and cancer has a strong association with each other. There is convincing evidence that physical activity is correlated with a reduced risk of cancers of the colon and breast. Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles; such movement results in an expenditure of energy. Physical activity is a critical component of energy balance, a term used to describe how weight, diet, and physical activity influence health, including cancer risk. Several studies also have reported links between physical activity and a reduced risk of cancers of the prostate, lung, and lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Researchers have established that regular physical activity can improve health by: helping to control weight, maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and joints, reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure and diabetes, promoting psychological well-being, reducing the risk of death from heart disease, reducing the risk of premature death. Now question arises how much physical

activity is required? The simple regime is to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on five or more days of the week, or engage in vigorous-intensity physical activity for at least 20 minutes on three or more days of the week is sufficient. As a physical therapist and health fitness expert I would love to say, 'medicating with movement' in life is a simple and effective strategy to overcome these life threatening diseases.
Dr. Hassan Anjum Shahid +923334538838 drhassananjumshahid@gmail.com President Punjab Physical Therapy Association Research Scholar Health and Physical Fitness King Edward Medical University/The University of Lahore