Women who stay active after menopause might reduce their risk of breast cancer.
New research from the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Atlanta, Ga., shows that women who stay active after menopause might reduce their risk of breast cancer. Women who engaged in at least one hour of vigorous physical activity each day significantly lowered their risk for breast cancer compared to those who did no exercise at all.
The research also indicated that walking at least seven hours per week, even when it was the only form of exercise, lowered the risk considerably. That can be accomplished easily by most busy women.
Women who walked seven hours or more per week had a 14 percent lower risk for breast cancer compared to those who walked three hours or less, so leave some time to walk over to the farther train station, take the stairs at work or get in a brisk walk during your lunch break. Just Move!
The study went on for 17 years (from 1992-2009) where every two-year intervals the women had to answer the same questionnaires again at various stages of their lives. The final outcome from the research was that women who walked at least the minimum 7 hours per week, had at least 14% lower risk of breast cancer.
This only adds credence to the fact that lifestyle choices play a big part in influencing the risk of disease and even small changes incorporated into our normal day-to-day activities make a difference in our overall quality of life.
