Scientific Evidence Mixed on Association between Exercise and Ovarian Cancer Risk

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ovarian cancer patients and survivors may benefit from exercise during and after treatment while under the care of their physician, according to results of a comprehensive literature review published online in Gynecologic Oncology.

Kirsten Moysich, PhD, Professor of Oncology, and Rikki Cannioto, EdD, Research Associate, both in the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, investigated the relationship between physical activity and risk factors for ovarian cancer. Twenty-six peer-reviewed research studies were included in the analysis. The majority of case-control studies demonstrated evidence of a protective effect of exercise relative to ovarian cancer risk with significant reductions of 30% to 60% among the most active women. However, cohort studies showed mixed results.

“While some progress in the identification of risk and protective factors for ovarian cancer has been made in recent years, the impact of lifestyle behaviors such as diet and exercise is not well understood,” says Dr. Moysich. “We summarized the available literature, examined barriers and benefits of exercise that are unique to cancer patients, and based on our results, we encourage a discussion among practitioners about the special considerations for exercise among ovarian cancer patients and survivors.”

Clinical practitioners should not rely on the currently inconclusive evidence, Dr. Cannioto suggests. “Rather, emphasis should be placed on the greater body of scientific evidence that has demonstrated that exercise results in a plethora of health benefits that can be achieved among all populations, including those with cancer.”