New research shows that exercising, and avoiding weight gains can cut breast
cancer risk as much as sixty – eight percent. According to a new study that
excluded women who possess a genetic tendency for breast cancer, smoking and
obesity still significantly increase the odds that a woman will develop the
disease.
The findings, published in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology, again show
that being overweight increases susceptibility to breast cancer. The new
study is the first to examine breast cancer risk among women who do not
possess the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene that increases cancer risk.
Researchers from the Université de Montréal's Department of Nutrition looked
at breast cancer, nutrition, weight, and lifestyle. They found that gaining
weight after age 20 increased the risk, and that smoking compounds the
chances of breast cancer for women.
A 34 pound weight gain increased breast cancer risk as much as sixty eight
percent in younger women. The risk increases with age and in proportion to
increased weight. After age 40, a 12 pound weight gain doubles the risk.
Women over age 50 at maximum weight have triple the chances of developing
the disease.
Smoking adds to the risk. One pack a day for nine years boosts breast cancer
risk by 59 percent. After menopause, the risk decreases some, but still
remained 50 percent among women who smoke.
According to the authors, "Cancer is a complex disease and can be latent for
several years. Therefore, it is important to work on the factors we can
control and to lead a healthy lifestyle, which means watching one's weight,
avoid smoking and doing regular exercise."
Moderate exercise was found to reduce breast cancer risk by fifty-two
percent among pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. Intense physical
exercise did not show the same benefits, likely due to the difficulty in
exercising intensively and consistently. The study shows that simple
lifestyle changes can greatly reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast
cancer.
Source: Kathleen Blanchard RN
