Postmenopausal women who exercise regularly are reducing their risk of developing breast cancer. A French study of nearly 60,000 women followed them for approximately 8 years. Women who walked, ran, swam or did other physical activity on a regular basis were about 10 percent less likely to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during the study. Those who had previously been active but stopped got no protection.
According to the investigators, “Our results suggest a decrease in risk associated with recent recreational physical activity even of modest levels.”
[Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, online Aug 11, 2014]
This is not the first study to identify exercise as a protective factor against breast cancer. A study of 70,000 postmenopausal American women conducted by the American Cancer Society showed a very similar connection (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, Oct., 2013). This seems like another good reason, among many, for women to lace up their sneakers every day, even after menopause.
Women who are interested in other ways to reduce their risk of breast cancer may wish to listen to our interview with Susan Love, MD, author of Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book.
