Routine Exercise Reduces Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women

A regular exercise routine has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of certain health issues.

Now, a recent study published in the journal American Association for Cancer Research found that it could also reduce postmenopausal womens' risk for breast cancer. Findings revealed that when they began exercising regularly, their risk of developing this health issue dropped significantly.

"Physical activity is thought to decrease a woman's risk for breast cancer after menopause. However, it was not clear how rapidly this association is observed after regular physical activity is begun or for how long it lasts after regular exercise stops. Our study answers these questions," said Agnès Fournier, PhD, a researcher in the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health at the Institute Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, via Health Day. "We found that recreational physical activity, even of modest intensity, seemed to have a rapid impact on breast cancer risk. However, the decreased breast cancer risk we found associated with physical activity was attenuated when activity stopped. As a result, postmenopausal women who exercise should be encouraged to continue and those who do not exercise should consider starting because their risk of breast cancer may decrease rapidly."

For the study, researchers measured physical status based on the metabolic equalivalent task-hours (MET-h) per week. They took a thorough analyzation of biennial questionnaires that were filled out by 59,308 postmenopausal women. All were part of E3N, which is the French portion of the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study. The follow-up study lasted about 8.5 years. During this time, about 2,155 people were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

Researchers noted that MET-h per week was similar to walking four hours per week or engaging in another activity at least two hours per week, along with guidelines that are consistent to the World Cancer Research Fund.

Researchers found that the diagnosis rate was about 10 percent lower among those who carried out regular exercise routines over the past four years. 

"Breast cancer is most common in post-menopausal women so it is great to see evidence like this which supports the message that physical activity in this age group is beneficial," concluded Sally Greenbrook of Breakthrough Breast Cancer .