“Wir bewegen Bayern” Action Day Brings Cancer Prevention to the Public

Engaging lectures, insightful personal discussions, and a wide range of sports activities: on Saturday, the “Wir bewegen Bayern” action day at the TUM Campus at the Olympic Park focused entirely on the question of how physical activity can contribute to cancer prevention. Together with a number of renowned experts from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), and their university hospitals (TUM University Hospital and LMU University Hospital), the event provided a platform for direct exchange between science, medicine, and the public.

“The event demonstrated the strong public interest in evidence-based information on cancer prevention,” says Prof. Dr. Martin Halle, head of the Chair of Preventive Sports Medicine and Sports Cardiology and co-initiator of the action day. “‘Active Against Cancer!’ embodies the central message of the event: physical activity is one of the most important modifiable factors for maintaining good health. Our primary goal was to communicate this knowledge on a sound scientific basis while also making it tangible through practical activities.”

As early as the morning, numerous visitors took the opportunity to learn more about prevention, early detection, and modern treatment options for various types of cancer. Particular emphasis was placed on the latest scientific findings regarding skin, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer, as well as the growing importance of physical activity as part of a health-promoting lifestyle.

"With our flagship prevention initiative, 'We Move Bavaria', we want to motivate people to incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives," emphasized Prof. Dr. med. Claus Belka (LMU University Hospital) at the start of the event. “Higher levels of physical activity can help improve health and reduce mortality.” Prof. Volker Heinemann (LMU University Hospital) also stressed: "According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40 percent of all cancer cases could be prevented. Therefore, we must not wait to fight cancer until it has already developed—we need to prevent it before it occurs and shift the focus from repair medicine to effective prevention."

Across the entire campus, expert lectures, workshops, and information booths provided opportunities to engage directly with researchers, physicians, and other specialists. The “Meet the Expert” sessions were also very well attended, covering topics such as exercise in oncology, cancer prevention for women, and the role of nutrition and lifestyle.

At the same time, the sports facilities at the TUM Campus at the Olympic Park clearly illustrated the action day’s core message: movement is prevention. Whether through introductory university sports programs, activities offered by sports clubs, or initiatives from participating partners, many visitors took the opportunity to become active themselves and explore different forms of physical activity.

“The action day impressively demonstrated how science communication can be successful when medical research and clinical practice come together in one place,” says Department Head Prof. Dr. Joachim Hermsdörfer, also head of the Chair of Human Movement Science. “The combination of scientific information, personal exchange, and hands-on physical activity opportunities made the topic of prevention especially tangible.”  

The event was supported by, among others, the Central University Sports Munich (ZHS), various Munich sports clubs, and partners from both recreational and elite sports. adidas, the Bavarian Olympic Training Center, and FC Bayern Munich also participated in the action day.

“The broad range of institutions represented at the TUM Campus at the Olympic Park highlighted that health promotion extends far beyond the medical sector,” explains Dr. Till Lorenzen, Managing Director of the TUM School of Medicine and Health. “Particularly in prevention, it is essential to bring together a wide range of societal stakeholders in order to reach as many people as possible at an early stage.”

The action day was part of the statewide “Wir bewegen Bayern” initiative of the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), which took place simultaneously at university locations in Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg, and Augsburg. Together, the participating institutions sent a visible signal underscoring the importance of physical activity, prevention, and health literacy.

Visit the homepage of the Chair of Preventive Sports Medicine and Sports Cardiology
View the program for the Cancer Prevention Action Day at the TUM Campus at the Olympic Park

Contact

Prof. Dr. Martin Halle
Chair of Preventive Sports Medicine and Sports Cardiology
Am Olympiacampus 11
80809 Munich, Germany

Phone: +49 89 4140 6774 (TUM University Hospital)
Phone: +49 89 289 24441 (TUM Campus at the Olympic Park)
Email: Martin.Halle(at)mri.tum.de

Text & Fotos: Bastian Daneyko