Smoked ever? Exercise can reduce the risks of lung cancer, says research

"Aerobic exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity such walking, jogging, or elliptical for 20 to 30 minutes three to five times a week can improve cardiorespiratory fitness," says Vainshelboim

Researchers gave treadmill tests to 2,979 men — 1,602 who were former smokers and 1,377 who were current smokers - to assess their “cardiorespiratory” fitness, or how easily the circulatory and respiratory systems can supply oxygen to muscles during physical exertion. They assessed exercise capacity using a standard measurement known as metabolic equivalents (METs) which reflects how much oxygen is consumed during physical activity.

Researchers followed the men for an average of 11.6 years; during this period, 99 participants were diagnosed with lung cancer and 79 of these people died from cancer.

Among former smokers, each 1-MET increase during treadmill tests was