EVEN JUST WALKING MAY HELP PREVENT BREAST CANCER

Numerous studies have found that vigorous exercise can help stave off breast cancer. Might more-moderate physical activity, such as walking, have a similar effect?

THE STUDY: Analyzing data on 73,615 post-menopausal women (average age, 63). About 9 percent were inactive, partaking in no leisure-time physical activity; for 47 percent, walking was their only exercise. Over a span of about 14 years 4,760 of the women were given diagnoses of breast cancer. Those who walked for at least an hour a day, even if they did no other exercise, were 14 percent less likely to have developed breast cancer than were less-active women. Women who exercised the most strenuously lowered their risk by 25 percent.Researchers with the American Cancer Society studied data on more than 73,000 post-menopausal women, comparing their breast cancer risk to exercise habits. Those who met the weekly requirement of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise had a 25% lower risk than those who did not exercise at all.
The surprise? Walking is linked to a 14% lower risk of breast cancer, even if no other exercise is involved.

Bottom line: It’s not too late to walk away from breast cancer.

 

 

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED:Post-menopausal women, the group most likely to develop breast cancer. An estimated one of every eight women will develop breast cancer at some point, and the risk increases with age, especially from middle age on. Early warning signs of breast cancer may involve the discovery of a new lump or a change in the breast tissue or skin.
 

HOW DOES EXERCISE HELP: Exercise boosts the immune system and helps you to keep your weight in check. With as little as three hours of exercise per week, or about 30 minutes a day, a woman can begin to lower her risk of breast cancer. This doesn’t require going to a gym either. Power walking is more than sufficient!

Although you cannot prevent cancer, some habits that can help reduce your risk are:

1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Stay physically active
3. Eat fruits and vegetables
4. Do not smoke
5. Limit alcohol consumption

EARLY DETECTION: Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer. But if you discover a persistent lump in your breast or notice any changes in breast tissue, it should never be ignored. It is very important that you see a physician for a clinical breast exam. He or she may possibly order breast imaging studies to determine if this lump is of concern or not.

Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, getting an annual clinical breast exam, and scheduling your routine screening mammograms.

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