Exercise and Sickle Cell Trait: New research unveils the connection

The KCA recently partnered with two advocacy groups on a blog post examining the relationship between exercise and sickle cell trait.

Exercise and Sickle Cell Trait: Understanding Risks and Embracing Wellness

This blog post appears at Sick Cells, a national non-profit advocacy group for sickle cell disease (SCD), and was co-authored with our Affiliate Partner organization the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation, a global non-profit supporting individuals diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma (RMC), a rare, aggressive type of kidney cancer.

RMC occurs more often in people with sickle cell trait (SCT), a genetic condition in which they have inherited one sickle cell gene from a parent. SCT is not a disease, but if someone inherits two SCT genes, then they may have SCD.

There is a lot more to the connection between RMC and sickle cell, specifically when it comes to physical activity. Some of this new research, done at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and published recently in the journal Cancers, is explored in the blog by KCA’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Salvatore La Rosa and Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation President and Founder Ritchie Johnson. Here are some tips and reminders:

Know Your Limits: If you have SCT, consult with healthcare providers to understand the right intensity level for your exercise routine.
Stay Informed: Educate yourself about SCT, its risks, and how lifestyle choices can impact your health. Learn about risk factors and connect with organizations like the Kidney Cancer Association and the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation that advocate for awareness and support research in kidney cancer and RMC.
Follow Recommended Guidelines: Consider guidelines from reputable organizations like the CDC, NATA, and NCAA for safe exercise practices if you are involved in athletic activities or rigorous professions.
Support Research: Consider making a donation to support the work of organizations like KCA and Chris Johnson Foundation to fund cutting-edge research and help finding a cure for kidney cancer and RMC.