Study Shows Intense Exercise Cuts Breast Cancer Risks
Researchers suggest that plenty of vigorous exercise can cut a healthy, older woman’s breast cancer risk by 30 percent.
A study of more than 30,000 post-menopausal women showed that regular activity such as running, aerobics or even heavy housework was associated with a 30% reduced risk of developing the disease
Researchers said the effect was clearest among lean women.
Michael Leitzmann, who led the study while at the National Cancer Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, said being overweight puts women at increased risk of breast cancer.
"What our study shows is that even among women without this increased risk, if they exercise they can get some benefit."
The 11-year study of 32,000 women is published in Breast Cancer Research. Women were asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire about how much and what physical activity they did.
Overall, the volunteers who exercised most were 13 percent less likely to have developed breast cancer. Leitzmann said there was an even higher 30 percent reduced risk for women of normal weight.
Non-vigorous activity, which included light housework such as vacuuming, washing clothes, painting, general gardening and light sports or exercise, such as walking, hiking, light jogging, recreational tennis, or bowling was not protective.
Previous studies have shown that regular strenuous exercise can help people avoid heart disease, cancer and a range of other conditions.
The American Cancer Society said breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. The group estimates about 465,000 women died of breast cancer globally in 2007, and 1.3 million new cases were diagnosed.
"Our findings suggest that physical activity acts through underlying biological mechanisms that are independent of body weight control," said Leitzmann.
"Clearly, we need to do more work to find out exactly how exercise affects breast cancer risk, so that women can make informed decisions about their lifestyle."
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