Scientists have found that indulging in cardio exercises decreases the risk of liver cancer.
A group of scientists conducted a study on mice that was the first of its kind, which also brings a ray of hope for people diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study found indulging in cardio exercises decreases the chances of being diagnosed with liver cancer.
For the study, two groups of mice were taken and were fed a control diet and a high fat diet. Then while one group was made to run on the treadmill for 60 minutes a day for five days per week, the other group was not made to do anything.
After 32 weeks of regular exercising and running on the treadmill, it was discovered that while only 71 percent of the first group developed tumors larger than 10mm, 100 percent of the second group developed the same tumor.
EASL's Educational Councilor Professor Jean-Francois Dufour said that from the data of the study, he could safely conclude that significant benefits could be reaped on the development of HCC from regular exercise.
"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," he said
The results could eventually lead to some very tangible benefits for people staring down the barrel of liver cancer and I look forward to seeing human studies in this important area in the future," Dufour said. "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."
