More often held up as a weapon against heart disease, regular exercise may significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer, Dallas researchers suggest. In two large studies, researchers from the Cooper Institute found that men's cardiovascular fitness--regardless of weight--was a key factor in whether they died of cancer. Although body mass is believed to influence the risk of cancer death, these findings suggest that fitness may be more important, according to the investigators. Drs. Larry W. Gibbons and Carolyn E. Barlow reported the findings here Friday at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. In one study, Barlow's team followed more than 22,700 men aged 20 to 85 for 10 years. Men who were classified as ``unfit'' based on treadmill tests were 80% more likely to die of cancer than fit men were. Those who were unfit and obese were at greatest risk, being 2.6 times more likely to die of cancer than fit, normal-weight men. However, the researchers found, if a man was fit, being overweight did not raise his cancer risk. Thanks to Breast Cancer Network and Reuters Health. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 5/02 J Medicine & Science in Sports/Exercise, 5/02 Cancer Epid Biom Preve, 1/05 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.