Moderate physical activity may help women lower their chances of developing Ovarian cancer, Canadian researchers say. “The finding supports the adoption of a healthy lifestyle to prevent the tumor development in women,” said lead investigator Dr. Sai Yi Pan.

Pan and colleagues at the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, examined data from questionnaires completed by 442 women with ovarian cancer and 2135 similar women without cancer.

Compared with women with the lowest levels of moderate activity and total recreational activity, those with the highest levels had a reduced risk of Ovarian cancer.

The odds were reduced by 33 percent for the highest levels of moderate activity, and by 27 percent with the highest levels of total activity.

The pattern was similar for both menopausal and premenopausal women, the researchers report in the International Journal of Cancer. However, vigorous activity did not seem to be protective.

A possible explanation for the beneficial effects, suggest the researchers, is enhancement of the immune and antioxidant systems, and lower risk of Obesity. Too much exercise, they add, may cause immune suppression.

“Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis and physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle factor,” Pan concluded. “Exercising regularly has many health benefits. Therefore, the promotion of regular moderate exercise would be a meaningful component to be included in an integrated approach to chronic disease prevention.”

SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, online May 16, 2005.