How fitness helps prevent breast cancer

Tuesday September 4th, 2012

Researchers have found a new link between staying fit and preventing breast cancer, it was announced today.

The most active women cut their risk of developing disease by 13 per cent, researchers said.

And moderate activity, such as regular walking and gardening, cuts it by eight per cent, according to the research reported in the International Journal of Cancer.

The findings are the latest to emerge from a study of half a million people in Europe.

British researchers studied the lifestyles of some 8,000 women who developed breast cancer.

Researcher Professor Tim Key, of Oxford University, said: “This large study further highlights the benefits of being active – even moderate amounts.

"There is also a lot of evidence that exercise reduces the risk of bowel cancer. More research is needed on other types of cancer, and to investigate the mechanisms which could explain the links."

Sara Hiom, of Cancer Research UK, said: "You don’t need to train like an Olympic athlete but the excitement of watching team GB win so many golds might have inspired some of us to spend less time on the sofa.

"And, as this research confirms, exercise can include anything that leaves you slightly out of breath like doing the gardening, walking the dog or housework.

"Small changes in your daily routine can make all the difference, like taking the stairs instead of the lift or walking some of the way to work, school or the shops and add up over the course of a week.”

Physical activity and risk of breast cancer overall and by hormone receptor status: The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Steindorf, K et al International Journal of Cancer September 4 2012; DOI: 10.1002/ijc.27778

Tags: Cancer | Fitness | UK News | Women's Health & Gynaecology

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