Exercise May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

lisaliving staff

Exercise whether it is mild or intense may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

A recent study published in the journal Cancer, found that women who exercised 10 to 19 hours per week experienced a 30 percent decreased risk of developing breast cancer.

The lead investigator in the study Lauren McCullough of UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, and her colleagues were interested in finding out if there was a link between recreational physical activity done at different points in life and the risk of developing breast cancer.

The age ranges of  subjects in the study were 20 to 98 years old, some women had developed breast cancer and others were cancer free.

The Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project found that whether women were active in their reproductive years or postmenopausal there was a reduced risk.

“The observation of a reduced risk of breast cancer for women who engaged in exercise after menopause is particularly encouraging given the late age of onset for breast cancer,” McCullough said.

However, they did find women – even if they are active – who gained a significant amount of weight, especially after menopause had an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

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