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New study links low rates of physical activity to higher risk of breast cancer

Category: Breast

For women who have received positive breast cancer tests, getting plenty of physical activity may be one of the most important factors that enables them to recover from the condition. Numerous studies have shown that exercise is key to limiting the risk of cancer recurrence.

The latest evidence comes from the University of Calgary. A team of investigators from the school recently reported at the American Institute for Cancer Research's 2011 Research Conference on Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer that between 8 and 30 percent of all cancer are directly attributable to sedentary lifestyles, according to Medscape Today.

The findings were based on a year long study in which women were asked to exercise for 45 minutes, five days per week. Results from this group were compared to data gathered from a second group of participants in similar general health who were not asked to change their lifestyles, the news source reports.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, making it one of the most common forms of cancer. Yet, the new findings suggest that many of these cases could be prevented through healthier exercise habits.