Regular Exercise May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

August 19 2014

Regular Exercise May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

Senior women who exercise on a regular basis are less likely to develop breast cancer, says researchers in a recent study.

Researchers at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France tracked some 59,000 postmenopausal women for more than eight years, paying close attention to their levels of exercise and whether or not they developed breast cancer. They discovered that women who had exercises for a minimum of four hours per week for the past four years were 10% less likely to develop breast cancer.

The study, published in the August edition of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, focused strictly on women who performed cardio exercise, such as running or jogging. It’s also important to note that researchers did not see any effect in participants’ weight, waist circumference, or body fat — meaning all women who performed the four hours of cardio exercise per week experienced the same 10% risk reduction of breast cancer.

According to data presented by the nonprofit group BreastCancer.org, nearly 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer throughout the course of their lives. While rates of breast cancer have declined over the past few decades, it remains a leading cause of death in women.

But it’s not just women who are at risk for developing breast cancer. Over 2,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year. Rates are far lower in males than females, but current data suggests that 1 in 1,000 men will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Note: it’s unclear if exercise has any impact on cancer rates in men. This recent study was done strictly on postmenopausal women.

"As a breast surgeon, one of my roles is to discuss prevention strategies for women,” said Dr. Alison Estabrook, chief of the division of breast surgery at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt hospitals in New York City.

“Exercise is certainly one prevention strategy I discuss for many reasons, and this study emphasizes the importance of physical activity and of its continuation in the postmenopausal years,” she added.

So, what should you take away from this study? Whether you are a man, woman, young or old, regular exercise is a fundamental step in maintaining good health and warding off illness. A quick 30-minute jog around the neighborhood per day can make a world of difference in your mental and physical well-being.