Exercise as a method to reduce the risk of oral cancer: A narrative review

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a major cause of death worldwide. One of the most common forms of cancer is oral cancer, which can occur due to exposure to carcinogenic factors, such as tobacco cigarettes, alcohol, betel-nut chewing, ultraviolet rays or human papillomavirus infection. Physical exercise is known to have many benefits and can contribute to reducing the risk of cancer, minimising the side-effects of treatment and increasing the curative effect of cancer treatment. Purpose: This study aimed to explain the role of exercise as a method to reduce oral cancer risk. Reviews: Studies examining the impact of exercise on reducing oral cancer risk are currently limited due to a lack of research on this subject. However, according to several laboratory experimental research studies on Mus musculus test subjects, moderate-intensity exercise contributes to suppressing the proliferation and development of oral squamous epithelial cells, which can subsequently become cancer cells. Exercise can also increase intracellular proteins that can induce apoptosis in cells (e.g. wild protein p53, the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and caspase-3), and can also decrease p53 mutant expression and transformed cells that can trigger cancer. Exercise must be optimally performed to prevent or control cancer symptoms, although the exact duration and intensity of exercise required to reduce cancer risk in humans have not been established. Conclusion: Exercise plays a role in reducing oral cancer risk by inducing apoptosis and preventing the development of transformed cells that can lead to developing cancer.

Evaluating the association between lifetime physical activity and oral squamous cell carcinoma: A case-control study

“…Caspase-3 activates CAD (Caspase-Activated DNase) endonuclease and via developing apoptotic bodies, the creation of the transformed epithelial cells of the oral squamous cell is prevented [ 19 ]. In conclusion, moderate-intensity exercise in mice led to an increased Caspase-3, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which induces apoptosis [ 20 , 21 ]. Irmawati et al suggested that physical activity reduces the risk of oral cancer occurrence by diminishing the formation of transformed cells and decreasing the expression of the p53 mutant [ 21 ].…”

“…In conclusion, moderate-intensity exercise in mice led to an increased Caspase-3, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which induces apoptosis [20,21]. Irmawati et al suggested that physical activity reduces the risk of oral cancer occurrence by diminishing the formation of transformed cells and decreasing the expression of the p53 mutant [21]. In a study by Moore et al in 2016 based on 12 prospective cohorts, a total of 1.44 million individuals with self-reported physical activity were recruited.…”

The role of continuous moderate-intensity exercise on increasing collagen density after tooth extraction

“…Continuous exercise is carried out without any rest breaks, while interval exercise is carried out according to the duration of time intensity but with the presence of rest times. 12 In this study, moderate-intensity exercise is used. The chosen moderate-intensity exercise is swimming because it has minimal injury, moves all limbs, and the entire body weight is held by water.…”