Exercise Programs Lower Breast Cancer Risk by 50%!

Most people know that regular exercise can lead to a longer and healthier life. The direct link between lower obesity levels and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease is well established. But what is more debatable is whether exercise leads to a lower risk of cancer. The correct answer is that not all forms of cancer can be directly reduced by regular exercise however, some types of cancer can be greatly reduced by achieving and maintaining lower body fat levels. One of the most insidious and infamous forms of cancer is preventable with regular exercise in fact, the risk of becoming a victim of breast cancer can be reduced by 50%!

The link was established between regular exercise and lower breast cancer risk by observing female athletes. In 1987, Female athlete alumni were observed from 10 colleges across the country. Female athlete was defined as someone who was on a varsity team and trained regularly or as someone who was involved in a regular exercise program. What as discovered was that these former female athletes were were 50% less likely to get breast cancer. History of cancer in their families and pregnancy history were the same, so why the lower risk of breast cancer?

The study revealed that women who began exercise programs at a younger age had lower levels of obesity, started menstruation at a older age and achieved menopause at a younger age. Higher levels of obesity creates higher levels of estrogen in the blood which leads to earlier menstruation in young females and older women with higher estrogen levels do not reach menopause until a older age. Higher levels of estrogen creates a higher risk of breast cancer and controlling your weight leads to lower levels of estrogen in the blood. Thus, by maintaining a healthy exercise program for yourself and encouraging your kids to do the same can substantially lower the risk of breast cancer in women.

The best way to get regular exercise is to make working out a part of your everyday activities. The best was to do this effectively is to have a means of exercising at home. The American Cancer Association recommends 30 minutes of regular exercise 5 days per week to lower your risk of getting cancer. Home fitness eliminates time constraints that keep you from going to the health club and getting in your minimum level of exercise. When you don't have to change clothes and commute to the gym at inconvenient times this will substantially increase the likelihood of sticking with it. In addition, kids learn by example and nothing would be more effective at teaching them a health lifestyle than seeing you do it yourself.

Home gym equipment is affordable and easily acquired online. Having the means of proper exercise at your disposal is imperative to effective weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. Begin your journey to lifelong fitness and help to eliminate breast cancer by exercising regularly.

Breast Cancer Data Source:

COPYRIGHT 1990 Review and Herald Publishing Association
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
Jamie Truscott Kwako