Exercise Can Help Against Common Type Of Liver Cancer

According to a new study, people who have high chances of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) - a kind of liver cancer - can lower the risk by exercising regularly.

HCC is a common type of cancer of the liver and affects more men than women. Causes of the cancer include liver injury or cirrhosis, which may be from alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, viral infection, iron overload in the body, etc.

The present study was conducted on mice that were genetically altered to develop the cancer. These mice were then divided into two groups based on diet: controlled or high-fat, and then again into groups that had different physical activity levels: sedentary or intense physical activity.

After about 32 weeks, all mice (100 percent) in the sedentary group developed the cancer, compared with 71 percent of mice that regularly exercised.

The study results were presented at the International Liver Congress 2013.

"We know that modern, unhealthy lifestyles predispose people to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which may lead to liver cancer; however it's been previously unknown whether regular exercise reduces the risk of developing HCC. This research is significant because it opens the door for further studies to prove that regular exercise can reduce the chance of people developing HCC," said Jean-Francois Dufour, Educational Councillor from European Association for the Study of the Liver Disease.

Jean-Francois Dufour added that more research  is needed to find a link between exercise and liver cancer. "The prognosis for liver cancer patients is often bleak as only a proportion of patients are suitable for potentially curative treatments so any kind of positive news in this arena is warmly welcomed," he added.

A previous study published in the journal Cancer Research has shown that good diet and exercise can lower the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.