Examining mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of exercise-v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does exercise stimulate our immune system to better protect us against cancer?
IRAS ID
162415
Contact name
James Turner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
330,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year. Consumption of an unhealthy diet, being overweight or obese, and being physically inactive, is implicated in 20% of all cancers. Thus, adopting a healthy lifestyle may substantially reduce the incidence of cancer. For example, being regularly active can reduce the risk of some cancers (e.g., breast cancer) by nearly 25%. Moreover, evidence suggests that if cancer patients have a higher cardiorespiratory fitness, lower body mass index, and are physically active prior to, during and following cancer therapy, then treatment is more successful. The mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effect of a healthy lifestyle are not understood.
This work will examine whether key physiological characteristics are associated with better protection against cancer from of our most important defence: our immune system. It is largely unappreciated that our immune system protects healthy people against cancer and acts in synergy with cancer therapies (i.e., chemotherapy) to fight cancer in patients. What is even less appreciated, is that exercise can stimulate immunity enhancing its effectiveness. The proposed work will examine whether this is the mechanism behind the anti-cancer effect of regular physical activity.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0004
Date of REC Opinion
30 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion