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Can Exercise Help Prevent Breast
Cancer?
Mothers, sisters, friends and daughters can be affected by
breast cancer. Regardless
of age, race or economic status, an estimated 180,000 women will
be diagnosed with
breast cancer this year and nearly 45,000 will die from the disease.
Although there
is currently no known cure, researchers are working diligently
to give women a fighting
chance against this frightening, life-threatening disease.
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine examined
the role exercise may
play in reducing the risk of breast cancer. Researchers analyzed
data from the Nurses'
Health Study, which followed 121,701 women (aged 30-55) from
1976-1992. Women were
surveyed at different points during the study period to gather
data on physical activity,
including the average number of hours per week spent participating
in moderate or vigorous
"recreational physical activity" (walking, jogging,
cycling, swimming, aerobic dance,
tennis, etc.).
Surveys also were used to identify cases of breast cancer
during the 16-year study.
Women who were more physically active showed a lower risk of
breast cancer than women
who were less active. The intensity of physical activity did
not seem to be as important
as consistent activity; women reporting four or more hours of
vigorous physical activity
each week had only a 10-15% lower risk of breast cancer than
women reporting one hour
or less of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week.
Early detection of breast cancer can play a major role in
saving your life or the life
of someone you love, and these research findings suggest that
consistent physical activity
may help as well. If you'd like more information on the value
of health and wellness
in preventing disease, make an appointment with your doctor of
chiropractic.
For additional information on women's health, go to http://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/women.html
Rockhill B, Willett WC, Hunter DJ, et al. A prospective study
of recreational physical
activity and breast cancer risk. Archives of Internal Medicine,
1999: Vol. 159, pp2290-2296.
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