Walking over 7,000 steps a day reduces cancer risk by 16%

A VNA reporter in Israel cited research results published in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, saying that walking more than 7,000 steps a day can reduce the risk of cancer by up to 16%.

Research conducted by scientists at the University of Oxford (UK) with the participation of more than 85,000 adults across the UK, has clarified the relationship between walking and health, and emphasized that increasing the number of daily walking steps can play an important role in cancer prevention.

In the study, participants were equipped with a wearable activity tracker that accurately measured their daily activity level and intensity — unlike previous studies that relied largely on subjective reporting.

After six years of follow-up, scientists noted a clear trend: the more people walked, the lower their risk of cancer. The benefits began to appear at 5,000 steps/day, and when they reached 7,000 steps/day, the risk of cancer decreased by 11%.

The study looked at 13 types of cancer including: esophageal, liver, lung, kidney, stomach, endometrial, myeloid leukemia, myeloma, colon, head and neck, rectal, bladder, and breast. The results showed a consistent trend: increasing daily steps was associated with a lower risk of these cancers.

Notably, the study found that high-intensity exercise is not necessary to reap health benefits. Walking not only improves overall health, but also increases cancer prevention. The number of steps taken is more important than walking speed in reducing cancer risk.

The study also found that replacing sedentary time with light or moderate activity was associated with a lower risk of cancer, suggesting that the key factor is not the intensity of activity, but rather the reduction in sedentary time.

Levels below 5,000 steps per day are considered a sign of a sedentary lifestyle, and at this threshold no clear benefit for cancer prevention was noted.

However, even small changes - such as adding 4,000 steps a day, equivalent to about 40 minutes of light walking - can have a positive impact in the long term./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/di-bo-tren-7000-buoc-moi-ngay-giup-giam-nguy-co-ung-thu-toi-16-post1039850.vnp