The Relation of Muscular Activity to Carcinoma: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Carcinoma in men, especially retired farmers, has been frequently seen by us in the past few years. These patients, men with large, well developed bodies of the “frontiersman” type, usually gave a history of having retired from the farm in good health, a few years previously, to enjoy a well deserved rest. On the other hand we have often talked with farmers, who for one reason or another still shouldered the responsibilities of the farm, who were well and working hard though sixty, seventy, or even eighty years of age. This observation brought us to consider muscular activity in relation to carcinoma.

There have been no deaths from carcinoma among the Turn Teachers (1) in the past thirty years. Thirty deaths from all causes occurred in this period, and we should expect at least three deaths from carcinoma. The Turn Teachers are of necessity active in a muscular sense. While the list is not large, the exception to the rule is interesting.

We have repeatedly noted that patients, clinically diagnosed as precancerous, improved in a most satisfactory manner on a prescription for increased daily exercise, as rope skipping for women, golf and brisk daily walks for men.

Muscular activity stimulates metabolism and retards the approach of senescence and decay. The tuberculosis problem has been greatly simplified by the recognition of the value of rest, sunshine, wholesome food and fresh air. We believe that the carcinoma problem may also be simplified by the recognition of the value of muscular activity in those periods of life most affected by carcinoma, those periods of life when we are prone to “let down” and check our pace. If muscular activity has an intimate relationship to carcinoma, the value of it will be most apparent in prophylaxsis, the field which to date promises the most in the attack on this malady.