Prevent Cancer. Get Active Anytime, Anywhere

The World Cancer Research Fund’s Cancer Prevention Action Week (#CPAW24) is back, running from 19–25 February 2024, and this year, the focus is on physical activity. The theme underscores a simple yet powerful message: incorporating small bursts of activity into your daily routine can make a significant difference in your overall health and well-being.

The call to action couldn’t be clearer: Will you do a small dance routine while cooking, or perhaps squeeze in some squats while brushing your teeth? These seemingly minor actions, when repeated a few times a day, can collectively contribute to a more active lifestyle. Even these short bursts of activity, often referred to as “exercise snacking,” count towards meeting physical activity guidelines.

#MakeYourMove by seizing downtime moments to get active. Whether you’re waiting for the bus or waiting for the kettle to boil, there are opportunities to sneak in some movement. By identifying these pockets of time and using them to engage in physical activity, you can take significant strides towards improving your health.

The benefits of being physically active are manifold. Research shows that regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of various cancers, including breast, colon, and endometrial cancers. Emerging evidence suggests that even just 3.5 minutes per day of vigourous activity, such as stair climbing, can decrease overall cancer risk by 17–18% compared to being sedentary.

Furthermore, there is strong evidence linking aerobic physical activity, like walking, to maintaining a healthy weight. Given that overweight or obesity is associated with at least 13 different types of cancers, staying active can play a crucial role in cancer prevention.

Exercise snacking, a relatively new approach to physical activity, emphasises short bursts of activity multiple times throughout the day. This strategy is particularly appealing in today’s fast-paced world, where finding time for extended workouts can be challenging. Whether it’s power walking, climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping bags, or doing bodyweight exercises like squats and push-ups, there are countless ways to incorporate exercise snacking into your routine.

The beauty of exercise snacking lies in its versatility. It can be done at home, at work, or in public spaces like parks, making it accessible to virtually everyone. By integrating these brief bursts of activity into your daily life, you can establish healthy habits that contribute to your overall well-being.

This week, we invite you to consider which move you’ll be making to embrace a more active lifestyle. Whether it’s dancing in the kitchen, incorporating squats into your morning routine, or taking the stairs whenever possible, every small step adds up to significant progress in cancer prevention and overall health.

Join us in making your move with #CPAW24. Together, we can empower individuals worldwide to prioritise physical activity and take proactive steps towards a healthier, cancer-free future.

For more information, visit The World Cancer Research Fund website.