Exercise Reduces Breast Cancer Risk

Tweak of the Week: Exercise Reduces Breast Cancer Risk
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 - 0 Comments
By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer

Exercise can substantially reduce the risk of premenopausal breast cancer in women, according to the largest and most detailed analysis to date on the subject.

The study, conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Harvard University in Boston, examined exercise habits of nearly 65,000 women aged 24-42, who filled out annual questionnaires for their activity levels dating back to age 12.

Over the six year period, the researchers found that the women who were physically active lowered their risk for breast cancer before menopause by 23 percent.

While numerous studies show that physical activity lowers the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, this is one of the first studies with promising findings for decreasing the risk of premenopausal breast cancer -- which accounts for roughly one-quarter of breast cancer cases.

Participants who exercised regularly between the ages of 12 and 35 saw the greatest reduction in breast cancer. This gives parents more motivation to get their daughters, as well as themselves, off the couch.

"This is just one more reason to encourage young girls and women to exercise regularly," says lead investigator Graham Colditz, M.D., Dr.P.H., associate director of Prevention and Control at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine.

No particular sport or intensity was linked to the health benefits of exercise; total activity seemed to be the deciding factor, so just get moving! Finding something active to participate in regularly is the key.

"You don’t have to be a marathon runner to get the risk-reducing benefits of exercise," explains Dr. Colditz.

The leading theory for why early exercise is so effective for lowering breast cancer risk is that it reduces a young woman's exposure to estrogen. Several studies link high levels of estrogen to a greater risk of breast cancer.

It's never too late to reduce your risk for breast cancer or too early to start safeguarding your sisters, daughters and granddaughters. Start protecting your body early and reap the benefits later in life. With a little foresight, we can reduce the rates of breast cancer.

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