Author Archives: Mya

Watching Lots of TV Increases Risk of Early Mortality

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If you were to see a sign prompting you to take the stairs instead of the elevator, would you do it? A lot of people apparently would, suggests a new study. The study was featured in today’s Cancer Research Update, looked at the effects of seeing the image developed by New York City government officials (right).

Through a lot of observing and counting, researchers found that people immediately began switching from the elevators to the stairs after posting the sign. And more people were still climbing stairs nine months later.

Along with its main finding, the study illustrates ways we can build physical activity into the day. That’s important because being active for 30-minutes or more every day reduces the risk of several cancers, along with other chronic diseases.

But moving throughout the day may influence our health beyond that isolated activity time: A growing body of research now suggests there are health perils of not moving – being sedentary. Continue reading →


Can Substituting Sweet Beverages Help You Lose Weight?

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The news that sugary drinks link to being overweight is not new. Back in 2007, AICR’s report concluded there was enough evidence on the link to recommend that we all avoid  sugary beverages.

But suppose all you did was switch out a couple of your sweetened beverages for a diet soda or water? You may lose a few pounds, suggests a new study. The study is among a handful of randomized trials to look at how changing beverages effects weight loss.

You can read the abstract of the study here.

The 318 study participants were all overweight and all drank over 200 calories per day of sugary beverages, such as sodas, sports drinks, and juice. Participants were randomly split into three groups: one group replaced their sweet beverages with water; another group replaced them with diet beverages; the third group, called the Healthy Choice group, was not directed to alter their beverages but they were given general weight-loss information at monthly meetings. (All three groups attended monthly meetings, which is when the two beverage-substituting groups received their drinks.) Continue reading →


Exercise Helps Survivors: New Analysis

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For many cancer patients, treatment can leave both physical and psychological effects on their daily lives. A strong and ever-growing body of research suggests that physical activity may help.

Today’s issue of Cancer Research Update highlights the latest analysis of the evidence looking at the effects of exercise on cancer patients who have completed their treatment. The analysis looked at the 34 randomized controlled studies (RCTs) on the topic, a type of study considered among the gold standard of studies.

Almost two-thirds of the studies focused on breast cancer and the rest looked at different types, including colon and lung. When taken together, the authors found that the patients who participated in exercise programs – lasting a median of 13 weeks – had improved physical functions, quality of life, fitness, and body weight. Continue reading →