Cardio Could Hold Key To Cancer Cure

Date: Apr-30-2013Regular exercise has been proven to reduce the chance of developing liver cancer in a
world-first mice study that carries hope for patients at risk from hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC).

The research announced at the International Liver Congress(TM) 2013 involved two
groups of mice fed a control diet and a high fat diet then divided into separate exercise
and sedentary groups.[1] The exercise groups ran on a motorised treadmill for 60 minutes
per day, five days a week.

After 32 weeks of regular exercise, 71% of mice on the controlled diet developed
tumours larger than 10mm versus 100% in the sedentary group. The mean number and volume of
HCC tumours per liver was also reduced in the exercise group compared to the sedentary
group.

EASL's Educational Councillor Prof. Jean-Francois Dufour said the data showed the
significant benefit of regular exercise on the development of HCC. Exercise decreased the
level of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice receiving a high-fat diet. He said: "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."

Prof. Jean-Francois Dufour added: "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. The prognosis for liver cancer
patients is often bleak as only a proportion of patients are suitable for potentially
curative treatments[2] so any kind of positive news in this arena is warmly welcomed."

HCC is a cancer originating in liver cells and is one of the most common types of
tumour. Worldwide, HCC accounts for approximately 5.4% of all cancers[3] and causes
695,000 deaths per year[4], including 47,000 deaths in Europe per annum.[5] It is the
fifth most common cause of cancer in men and the eighth most common cause in women.

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.