IT IS considered a surefire route to health and wellbeing.
But now new research has shown that exercise may hasten the decline of some cancer sufferers.
The study, which looked at prostate tumours in mice, showed that cancerous cells multiplied twice as quickly when the animals were active.
Scientists
from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, believe that exercise might increase the blood flow to tumours, assisting their growth.
Half of the 50 mice in the trial were placed in cages with exercise wheels on which they ran more than half a mile each day. All were fed the same diet.
Dr Lee Jones, of Duke University, said: "We found that among the mice that had the opportunity to voluntarily exercise, tumours grew approximately twice as fast as they did among the mice that did not have the opportunity to exercise."
The scientists have cautioned that the results of the study may not be replicated in humans, and point out that heightened blood-flow can also be used to carry anti-cancer medicines into a tumour more effectively.
Co-researcher Dr Stephen Freedland said: "These mice were not receiving treatment and we were allowing aggressive tumours to grow unchecked for the sake of the experiment. Patients would not find themselves in the same situation."
However, in response to the results of the new study, the research team is looking at combining controlled levels of exercise with anti-cancer therapies given to prostate-cancer patients. It is thought that patients suffering from other types of cancer may also benefit.
The findings will be presented at today's annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego, California.
Meanwhile, researchers at Dundee University believe they have discovered key to the mystery of why arsenic – a carcinogenic poison – can also be used to effectively treat leukaemia.
The substance – used in the fight against blood cancers since the late 1800s – has increasingly been utilised in the last 15 years to treat those suffering acute promyelocytic leukaemia, a rare form of the disease.
Now scientists from the Scottish university have discovered that arsenic acts as a glue, sticking a molecule called "Sumo" to leukaemia proteins. The leukaemia is then broken down in a complex process.
Researchers hope that the research will aid the development of more targeted and effective cancer drugs.
Prof Ronald Hay, of Dundee University, said: "Our discovery is key to understanding how we can enhance the anti-cancer properties of this poison."
Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of information, warmly welcomed the new research.
"It's a great piece of science that will hopefully lead to the development of drugs that home in on specific cancer-causing proteins to beat the disease," she said.
CHARITY ENCOURAGES TEACHERS TO SPREAD THE WORDTEACHERS are being encouraged to spread the healthy eating message to youngsters in an attempt to cut their risk of cancer in later life.
The importance of regular exercise and a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can be included in lessons about food, health and activity, said the World Cancer Research Fund.
Science, PE and personal, social and health education (PSHE) are all areas of the curriculum where a healthy lifestyle can be discussed.
The charity has produced lesson plans for teachers and families to use with children aged four to 11. They focus on areas such as top tips for healthy eating, the five-a-day fruit and veg message, preparing food and what kinds of fuel the body needs. Some of the lessons look at farming while others involve practical skills like making a "fantastic fruit salad".
Being overweight or obese is known to increase the risk of cancer. Poor diet choices – such as too much red or processed meat – are also linked to the disease.
The full article contains 637 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
