Just going for a long walk every day can reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women by 14 to 18 per cent, according to a new study. The news came as thousands of Canadians got ready for one of the largest national breast cancer fundraisers last weekend, called the Run for the Cure.
The study followed more than 73,000 women in the United States from 1992 to 2009. 4,700 of them developed breast cancer. Women who did intense exercise had a 25 per cent lower risk of breast cancer compared to the least active women.
Previous studies have also shown that more active women have a lower risk but this is the first to show that more moderate, sustained activity is beneficial as well.
Walk an hour a day, most days, most weeks, suggests doctor
“The typical description might be that a woman walks recreationally for about an hour a day, most days, most weeks,” explained Dr. Ken Locke, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. “So it’s not a perfect participation record but it’s something that tends to be a standard part of a woman’s lifestyle and activity.”
One in nine Canadian women are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 90. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths after smoking, although better diagnosis and treatment means more women are surviving after being diagnosed.
Younger women could benefit too
Younger women also get breast cancer, but this research did not look at their risks. Locke says their cancers may be different and this research may not apply. However, he says there are so many proven benefits of moderate exercise he sees no reason why they should not do it. In addition to helping their overall health, younger women could establish healthy habits which would offer some protection after they go through menopause.
“Lifestyle changes in general tend to influence health outcome in general,” says Locke. “The more of a change you make, the more you do of these healthy behaviours, the greater the benefit that you see.”
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