Walk to beat breast cancer

An apple a day may keep the doctor away but a long brisk walk will keep breast cancer at bay, according to a new study.

According to a report by the UK's Daily Mail, scientists have found that walking for an hour and a half every day could cut a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 30%.

The new study, published in the Cancer journal, claims that that doing 10 hours of gentle exercise a week – including therapeutic household cleaning – significantly reduces the likelihood of the illness for all age groups.

Scientists from the University of North Carolina, USA, compared the lifestyles of over 3 000 women aged 20 to 98, including 1 504 patients who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Each woman was asked to record how much physical activity she did a week.

The findings revealed that those who did 10 to 19 hours of exercise a week were 30% less likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Scientists believe that exercise helps prevent the formation of fatty tissue which is known to trigger cancerous tumours.

However, the study found that the benefits of physical activity in preventing breast cancer were counter-acted if women gained weight. 

Luckily, it means that you don't have to be a gym-bunny or marathon runner to reap the benefits. Gentle activity could include doing household chores or walking the dog. Or perhaps consider joining a dance class or a walking group in your area.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk