The Beneficial Effects of Physical Activity in Lung Cancer Prevention and/or Treatment
Gaetana Messina,
Nicola Tartaglia,
Antonio Ambrosi,
Chiara Porro,
Angelo Campanozzi,
Anna Valenzano,
Gaetano Corso,
Alfonso Fiorelli,
Rita Polito,
Mario Santini,
Marcellino Monda,
Domenico Tafuri,
Giovanni Messina,
Antonietta Messina,
Vincenzo Monda
Affiliations
Gaetana Messina
Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Nicola Tartaglia
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
Antonio Ambrosi
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
Chiara Porro
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Angelo Campanozzi
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy
Anna Valenzano
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Gaetano Corso
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Alfonso Fiorelli
Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Rita Polito
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Mario Santini
Department of Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Marcellino Monda
Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Domenico Tafuri
Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100 Naples, Italy
Giovanni Messina
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Antonietta Messina
Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Vincenzo Monda
Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer: it has a significant incidence and low survival rates. Lifestyle has an important influence on cancer onset and its progression, indeed environmental factors and smoke are involved in cancer establishment, and in lung cancer. Physical activity is a determinant in inhibiting or slowing lung cancer. Certainly, the inflammation is a major factor responsible for lung cancer establishment. In this scenario, regular physical activity can induce anti-inflammatory effects, reducing ROS production and stimulating immune cell system activity. On lung function, physical activity improves lung muscle strength, FEV1 and forced vital capacity. In lung cancer patients, it reduces dyspnea, fatigue and pain. Data in the literature has shown the effects of physical activity both in in vivo and in vitro studies, reporting that its anti-inflammatory action is determinant in the onset of human diseases such as lung cancer. It has a beneficial effect not only in the prevention of lung cancer, but also on treatment and prognosis. For these reasons, it is retained as an adjuvant in lung cancer treatment both for the administration and prognosis of this type of cancer. The purpose of this review is to analyze the role of physical activity in lung cancer and to recommend regular physical activity and lifestyle changes to prevent or treat this pathology.
