Study: High Lifetime Activity Level Lowers Breast Cancer Risk for Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women who have been active in their careers or raising a family may have a lower breast cancer risk than their sedentary counterparts, according to a study of more than 1,200 breast cancer patients..

Researchers found that that postmenopausal women who reported the highest levels of activity were 30 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women with the lowest levels of activity.

The researchers said occupational and household activity provided the greatest protection, while exercise did not appear to provide any reduction in risk. They also said a higher activity level appeared to provide no increased reduction in risk for premenopausal women.

Reporting in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the researchers said that physical activity provided the greatest benefits for postmenopausal women who also did not smoke, drink alcohol and had never given birth.

``This study provides evidence that lifetime total activity reduces risk of postmenopausal breast cancer,'' according to researchers led by Dr. C. M. Friedenreich from the Alberta Cancer Board in Canada.

Other Sources: American Journal of Epidemiology