It’s true. Exercise can help reduce breast cancer risk. But what kind, and how?
Well, here are some of the answers:
Exercise Might Lead To Earlier Menopause
Reaching menopause earlier, dealing with the hot flashes and irregular periods, isn’t exactly every young woman’s dream, but it may help with cancer prevention. During menopause a woman stops ovulating, which decreases her exposure to tumor-promoting estrogen. This is why early menopause is linked to lower breast cancer risk ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ another reason to get moving!
Drops Estrogen Levels, Getting Enough Is Important
According to the National Cancer Institute, exercising four or more hours a week may decrease your hormone levels, which can help lower your risk of breast cancer. Four hours a week may not cut it, though. The American Cancer Society suggests that you exercise for 45 to 60 minutes, five or more days a week. A lifetime of regular, vigorous activity such as brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, hiking, and other heart-pumping workouts poses the greatest benefit.
Lose Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces your risk of breast cancer, and regular exercise is one way to make that happen. In two large studies, women who gained 20 or more pounds after age 18 had an increased risk of developing breast cancer after menopause. That’s because weight gained tends to be carried with you once you reach menopause, and since estrogen is stored in fat cells, being overweight once you hit menopause increases your risk of developing breast cancer by 30 to 60 percent.
Helps Your Immunity
When your immune system is strong, it has the ability to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Another reason to lace up your sneakers!
Plus, regardless of lowering cancer risk (which is an amazing reason), staying in shape and keeping active are ways just to FEEL better. And when you have a positive attitude and you’re feeling good… well, it can’t hurt.
Get on out there!
[Image via WENN.]
