Exercise can reduce a smoker's cancer risk

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers observed that smokers can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by being physically active.

However, the researchers at the universities of Minnesota and Pennsylvania strongly caution that any relative benefit is dwarfed by the benefits gained from quitting smoking.

The study of more than 36,000 women, published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, found a high level of physical activity in women who smoked reduced their relative risk of developing lung cancer by 72 percent.

Moderate activity among smokers was associated with a 65 percent risk reduction, and lower relative risks were also seen in former smokers who had moderate or high activity levels.

"The most important thing a smoker can do to reduce risk is to quit smoking. That said, exercising and being active can offer a marginal change in risk," said the study's lead author, Kathryn Schmitz of the University of Pennsylvania.