A study of more than 100,000 women suggests that increasing physical activity and decreasing time spent sedentary can reduce the risk of breast cancer.
A team of researchers from Australia, the UK and the US used genetic analysis to link activity levels to cancer risk.
The data from 130,957 women were included in the study.
It has been difficult to prove a correlation between physical activity and breast cancer.
The relationship between physical activity and breast cancer has always been uncertain, according to the study's senior author.
Women who are more physically active may have a healthier lifestyle.
The new study suggests that physical activity reduces your risk of breast cancer.
She said that there was a risk reduction for all breast cancer types.
The researchers used a technique known as Mendelian randomisation to establish causality, which uses genetic variant as proxies for particular traits, in this case, physical activity and time spent sitting or reclining
A higher level of movement was associated with a reduction in breast cancer risk.
Compared to no vigorous activity, vigorous activity at least three days per week was associated with a 38% lower risk of breast cancer.
A doubling of risk for triple-negative breast cancer was observed for every 100 odd minutes of sedentary time.
It is believed that physical activity lowers breast cancer risk by decreasing the amount of hormones in the bloodstream. Inflammation may be a factor.
Lynch said that there has always been a focus on healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight. Physical activity can prevent cancer.
You can sign up for the Morning Mail.
The national and international stories of the day are broken down in the morning email.
The data from the UK Biobank was used in the research.
The study only had data from women of European descent.
Lynch said that they can't say for sure if the genetic instruments are applicable to different races.
She said that observational studies in Asia and the US have shown a correlation between physical activity and reduced risk.
According to Associate Prof Wendy Ingman, who was not involved in the study, physical activity is one of the ways to reduce breast cancer risk.
Reducing alcohol intake and breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. The longer a woman is breastfeeding the less breast cancer risk she has.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
