Get off the couch and give kidney cancer the boot

- During National Kidney Month this March, Kidney Cancer Canada is calling on Canadians to get more active and get ready for the inaugural 'Kick It Up for Kidney Cancer' Boot Camp Marathon Event -

TORONTO, March 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Couch potato, sofa surfer or an armchair athlete? No matter what you call it, Canadians are too sedentary for their own good. So this year, during National Kidney Month, Kidney Cancer Canada (KCC) is launching Kick It Up for Kidney Cancer - the first boot camp marathon fundraising event to get Canadians on their feet and moving in support of KCC.

We all know the virtues of an active lifestyle, yet the truth remains that 69 per cent of Canadians spend the majority of their waking hours being inactive, and only 15 per cent of men and women actually meet the recommended amounts of weekly exercise.ⁱ  Furthermore, research shows those who are less physically active and are obese have an increased risk for kidney cancer.ⁱⁱ On the other hand, people who play sports or exercise five or more times a week have a 23 per cent lower risk of developing kidney cancer than those who are not active.ⁱⁱⁱ

"The evidence is clear - exercise has important benefits related to kidney cancer - both in prevention and survival," says Catherine Madden, Executive Director at Kidney Cancer Canada. "So, for National Kidney Month we decided it was time to take action and challenge Canadians to get off the couch and participate in a physical activity that is good for the kidneys and great for a good cause."

For kidney cancer survivors, studies have shown a link between physical activity and quality of life, demonstrating positive impacts on the physical and functional, including irritability, pain, fatigue, worry, sleep disturbance, weakness and shortness of breath.^iv Plus, emerging research demonstrates physical activity helps improve mental health for cancer survivors.^v

Kick It Up for Kidney Cancer will be the first event of its kind in support of KCC, the only organization in Canada solely dedicated to improving the quality of life for kidney cancer patients and their families. It will bring together high-profile fitness trainers, individuals and teams of men and women who want to get moving for a good cause.

"Boot camp is a great way for people of all fitness levels to have fun and have a great workout at the same time," says Michael DeCorte, fitness expert and founder of Jock Yoga in Toronto. "What makes Kick It Up for Kidney Cancer different is that you're working together in a team squatting, jumping and kicking to improve your own health, and also the health of those who face kidney cancer. So sign up, start exercising and get ready to sweat!"

The inaugural event will be held on Sunday, June 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Toronto. For more information and to register, visit www.kidneycancercanada.ca.

Kickin' it Up Across Canada

Those who want to get involved but aren't able to attend the event, can set up their own Kick It Up for Kidney Cancer challenge in their local community.

"We've always been a national organization and we want everyone from coast to coast to get involved in ways that get them excited.  You can Kick It Up for Kidney Cancer in your own individual way - by challenging yourself to get active for 30 minutes a day, or taking part in something new like Tai Chi or yoga. By creating your own challenge, you can make a huge difference for your own health and motivate others," says Deb Maskens, KCC co-founder, chair and kidney cancer survivor. "Physical activity has been a way that helps me feel well and manage my disease - now it can be done in honour of people fighting kidney cancer."

To set up your own Kick It Up for Kidney Cancer challenge or to make a donation, visit www.kidneycancercanada.ca.

About Kidney Cancer in Canada

In 2012, it was estimated that 5,600 new cases of kidney cancer would be diagnosed in Canada,^vi and 1,700 people would die from the disease.^vii Approximately 75 per cent of new kidney cancer patients in Canada are diagnosed in one of the first three (of four) stages of the disease.  For 75 per cent of patients, the first treatment step is to see a urologist to have part or the entire affected kidney removed.  For some of these patients their cancer will recur, progressing to stage four metastatic kidney cancer - the most serious form.  Others will face separate health challenges as a result of their kidney cancer surgery (e.g., increased risk of chronic kidney disease and/or hypertension) - challenges that can be serious on their own, or can further complicate metastatic kidney cancer treatment in later years.

Kidney Cancer Canada

Kidney Cancer Canada is the first Canadian-based, patient-led registered charity established to improve the quality of life for patients and their families living with kidney cancer. Kidney Cancer Canada advocates for access to new treatments, provides support and information to patients, and works to increase awareness of kidney cancer as a significant health issue.

For more information please visit: www.kidneycancercanada.ca.

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ⁱ Statistics Canada. "Physical activity of Canadian adults: Accelerometer results from the 2007 to 2009 CHMS" Health Reports, Vol. 22, no. 1, March 2011. Pg.10
ⁱⁱ Trinh, Linda; et al. "Associations Between Physical Activity and Quality of Life in a Population-Based Sample of Kidney Cancer Survivors." Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20:859-868. Published OnlineFirst April 5, 2011. Pg. 865
ⁱⁱⁱ Moore et al. "Physical Activity during Adulthood and Adolescence in Relation to Renal Cell Cancer." American Journal of Epidemiology. May 8, 2008. Vol. 168 (2). Pg.151
^iv Trinh, Linda; et al. "Associations Between Physical Activity and Quality of Life in a Population-Based Sample of Kidney Cancer Survivors." Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20:859-868. Published OnlineFirst April 5, 2011. Pg.864
^v Trinh, Linda; et al. "Associations Between Physical Activity and Quality of Life in a Population-Based Sample of Kidney Cancer Survivors." Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20:859-868. Published OnlineFirst April 5, 2011. Pg.859
^vi Canadian Cancer Society's Steering Committee: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012. Toronto:  Canadian Cancer Society, 2012. Pg.8
^vii Canadian Cancer Society's Steering Committee: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2012. Toronto:  Canadian Cancer Society, 2012. Pg.9

SOURCE: Kidney Cancer Canada

Julia Dyck: 416-969-2787 or [email protected]