Break a Sweat to Reduce Breast Cancer

The American Heart Association reports that breast cancer is the number one fear of American women. In fact, one in every eight women will have breast cancer over the course of her life. Researchers and women both want to know the risk factors for breast cancer.

Physical activity may help prevent breast cancer. Many groups have studied the benefits of exercise in preventing breast cancer. Some studies report a protective effect of physical activity. Others find no such effect.

Scientists are asking: Does exercise and physical activity prevent breast cancer before or after menopause? Is there a "best time" in life to exercise? A large study to answer these questions was done at the University of Buffalo in New York.

A total of 1550 pre- and post-menopausal women were asked about the time they spent in exercise or sports. This was measured over a lifetime. The amount and type of physical activity was reported at age 16 and for two, 10, and 20 years before the the survey was taken. Activity level on the job was also measured.

The authors of this study say that physical activity does have a protective effect. Exercise that is strong enough to cause a sweat protects pre- and post-menopausal women from breast cancer. This effect was strongest in women who were active at least 20 years before the study. Women who were active throughout their life also had a lower risk of breast cancer.