Exercise may Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women

A recent study shows that moderate activity may be linked to a lower risk of breast cancer.

The American Cancer Society study shows increasing evidence that physical activity reduces this risk, particularly in postmenopausal women. Researchers found that activity was associated with a 14 percent lower risk and high physical activity with a 25 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who were active at the lowest levels.

The study also showed that women who took part in regular physical activity had approximately 25 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who were mostly inactive. Other benefits included of exercise included sustained weight control or weight loss, lower brood pressure levels and lower BMI in general.

Lead study author Alpa Patel, Ph.D., compared exercise and breast cancer status in 73,615 postmenopausal women who took part in CPS-II Nutrition Cohort, a prospective study of cancer incidence that's established by the American cancer Society in 1992. During the 17-year study, 4,760 women were diagnosed with breast cancer.

Background information from the study shows that one in 10 women reported no recreational physical activity during the beginning of the study. However, among those who were active, the average was equivalent to 3.5 hours per week of moderately-paced walking. Physically active women engaged in moderate-intensity activities, including walking to dancing or vigorous cycling. These women were leaner, according to the study, and more likely to use postmenopausal hormone therapy and have a mammogram every year.

Among those who reported walking as their only activity, those who walked at least seven hours per week showed a 14 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who walked three or fewer hours per week.

"Our results clearly support an association between physical activity and postmenopausal breast cancer, with more vigorous activity having a stronger effect," said Dr. Patel, via a press release. "Our findings are particularly relevant, as people struggle with conflicting information about how much activity they need to stay healthy. Without any other recreational physical activities, walking on average of at least one hour per day was associated with a modestly lower risk of breast cancer. More strenuous and longer activities lowered the risk even more."

More information regarding this study can be found via the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.