Increased Exercise associated with a Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer after Menopause

Recent Recreational Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women

“Exercise lowers risk of breast cancer after menopause” reports The Independent. This and similar headlines were sparked by a large study of postmenopausal teachers that found increased recreational activity was associated with a 10% decrease in the risk of breast cancer.

The study used questionnaires to estimate the levels of walking, cycling and sport the women did outside of work. Researchers found that women who exercised vigorously for seven or more hours each week were 25 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, compared to those who exercised less than one hour each week. Examples of vigorous activity include basketball, swimming, running and aerobics. The results were similar if women walked briskly, but there was no benefit for walking at normal pace. The results did not differ by the estrogen receptor status of the breast cancer. It also found that women who did the equivalent of walking at least four hours a week or doing sport for two hours a week had a reduced risk of breast cancer. Factors such as body mass index (BMI) did not change the results.

 Sources and More Information:

• Recent Recreational Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women in the E3N Cohort, CEBP, June 8, 2014.
• Recreational Physical Activity and Leisure-Time Sitting in Relation to Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk, CEBP, August 1, 2013.
• Television Viewing and Time Spent Sedentary in Relation to Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis, JNCI, March 14, 2014.
• Exercise may cut breast cancer risk, study finds, Edited by NHS Choices, analysed by Bazian.