In a world where miracle cures are sought in pills, injection, and high-tech medicines, something as ordinary as movement can feel underwhelming. But what if that is the most underrated cancer fighting tool and not even drugs at all?

A simple walk, a swim, or a dance class? A recent study in the United Kingdom by the Institute of Cancer Research has added powerful weight to a growing truth: Exercise doesn’t just support recovery from cancer but might actually be part of the treatment. Regular physical activity not only reduces the risk of developing 13 types of cancer, but it can also improve treatment outcomes and even survival rates for those already diagnosed, according to the researchers.

Yet in Nigeria, where cancer awareness is still playing catch-up and access to care is often costly, stigma, and late diagnoses, this kind of news raises a bigger question.

Can movement really be our medicine?

Not Just fitness, its future proofing

For decades, exercise has been sold to us as a way to lose weight and stay slim. But what this study reaffirms is that exercise has the power to literally change your cellular make up. It helps regulate insulin, balance hormones, and reduce inflammation, all which play a major role in both the prevention and progression of cancers.

Professor Karen Vousden, Chief Scientist at the institute of Cancer Research, said: “There is strong evidence that being physically active can help prevent some types of cancer and even help improve the outcome of people who are going through treatment.”

Think about it for a second, the same sweat you break during a jog could be strengthening your body’s defense systems. That Zumba dance session you almost cancelled? It could be fueling cancer fighting immune cells.

Also Read: Why do cancer patients here in Nigeria only get found after their situation becomes mostly irreversible?

The Nigerian Context: Can we keep moving?

While the science is clear, we definitely cannot ignore the context. In Nigeria, where many people are just trying to survive the day, carving out time or energy for exercise feels like luxury. Gym membership can be sometimes pricey, public parks are rare, and in many cities safe walkways are non-existent.

Then there is the cultural perception. Somehow, being slim and working out at the gym doesn’t sit right with (many) people because quite a sizable number still believe exercise is only for those who are overweight, or athletes. A woman jogging in certain neighborhoods may still raise eyebrows and a man dancing for cardio may be teased for playing instead of lifting weights.

But if movement can help prevent something as devastating as cancer, then maybe it is about time we reframe it not as vanity, but as vitality.

So, how do we make exercise accessible and sustainable in Nigeria?

Walk to where you can, which could be like using the staircase instead of the elevators, or walking to on errands instead of driving because movement adds up. Turning house chores into workouts like sweeping, fetching water, and farming. Many of our daily tasks already involve activity.

From group morning jogs in Lekki to evening dance groups in Porthacourt, communal workout can make movement fun and consistent. If schools also invest in physical education, the ripple effect would be huge.

Also Read: The minimalist track for men to avoid prostate cancer ten years from now

This is bigger than tones glutes

When cancer shows up, it doesn’t knock first and the financial, emotional and physical burden can be devastating. But wouldn’t it be great if we could reduce the risk by just sweating a little more?

This doesn’t mean that exercise will prevent every cancer case. Genetics, environment and access to healthcare still matter a lot. But adding movement to the list of preventive tools alongside screening, clean diet, and stress management is a step towards shifting the tides.

Final Stretch

Let us move beyond aesthetics. Let us treat every jump rope session, every brisk walk, and every dance move, as a subtle rebellion against a ailment that has taken too much. In the fight against cancer, your body is not just a battleground, it is also a weapon. So, maybe, just maybe, it is time to move like your life depends on it.

Anita Chinedu