How Fitness in Your Younger Years Affects Cancer Risk Later in Life
“If you’re wondering whether the link between early-life fitness and lower cancer risk a coincidence is real or just, the evidence base is broader and stronger than many people realize.” Growing up healthy feels good — but have you ever wondered whether being fit in your younger years could actually protect you from cancer later in life? Increasingly, research suggests the answer may be yes. Studies now show that regular physical activity and better fitness during childhood and adolescence are linked to a lower risk of several cancers in adulthood. While no single habit can guarantee cancer prevention, early-life fitness appears to shape the body in powerful ways that matter decades later. When you stay active while young, you’re not just burning calories. You’re influencing body composition, hormone balance, immune function, inflammation levels, and insulin sensitivity — all of which play important roles in cancer development. Just as importantly, early fitness helps build lifelong ha...