Physical activity cuts breast cancer risk

Earlier studies have also found physical activity being able to cut the risk of breast cancer, but this study was the first to take a comprehensive look at the relation between exercises of various intensities at different stages of a person’s life and post-menopausal breast cancer risk.

Researches from the American National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland asked more than 110,000 post menopausal women to rate their level of physical activity at ages 15-18, 19-29, 35-39, and in the past 10 years.

The researchers noted that in the next six and a half years, women who were active for more than seven hours a week in moderate-to-vigorous exercise cut their risk to develop breast cancer by 16 percent as opposed to those who were inactive.

Vigorous activity offers benefits
The researchers observed that the risk of cancer was impacted by type of activity, intensity of activity, and when in life the activity was performed.

They found the most physically active women were least likely to get breast cancer. The scientists believe that “moderate to vigorous” activities such as heavy house work and recreational activities like hiking, tennis, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, aerobics and jogging reduced breast cancer risk.

However, the researchers pointed out that light activities undertaken such as bowling, gardening and fishing did not offer any benefits.

Women who had undertaken a lot of physical activity throughout their life had the lowest risk of breast cancer, and activity performed after the menopause had a greater effect.

However, the researchers noted that light exercise in later life or that engaged at younger ages did not offer any protection against the disease.

A word of advise
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in the United States with an estimated 182,460 new cases diagnosed in 2008.

According to the researchers, the findings of the study are a compelling reason for inactive women to engage in fitness regime. They believe that exercise regulates hormone levels, immune functions and body weight, which have shown to drive growth in some cancers.

Women should remain active on a consistent basis even in later life as exercise not only reduces the risk of breast cancer but is beneficial for the bones, heart and the general well being.

Dr. Tricia M Peters, who led the research, stated, “Our findings could help inform the mechanisms of the physical activity-breast cancer relationship. With breast cancer still claiming so many lives, all the information of potential preventive measures we can get is vital."

The findings were published in the medical journal BMC Cancer.