| What the research says | | | | A study by Janneke and colleagues, published in the |
| The most impressive and well-supported studies of | | | | Journal of the National Cancer Institute in January, |
| exercise and its relationship to breast cancer risk | | | | found that woman who engaged in recreational |
| were reported in a journal to breast cancer risk were | | | | physical activity reduced their risk of breast cancer |
| reported in a journal review by Blank and Chang from | | | | by 30% compared with inactive women. Recreational |
| the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. The | | | | exercise can be aerobic activities such as walking, |
| studies suggest the following mechanisms of action: | | | | aerobic exercise classes, jogging, or swimming. These |
| Decreasing body fat through exercise can reduce | | | | forms of exercise are fairly intense, which |
| estrogen produced in fat stores. | | | | contributes to reduced hormone production. |
| Exercise contributes to normal pulsatile verifiability, | | | | This information in conjunction with the already |
| which is known to reduce breast cancer risk. | | | | proven benefits to body and mind builds a strong |
| Exercise may reduce insulin resistance, again | | | | case for physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. |
| promoting improved hormonal balance. | | | | Start now but start slow |
| Exercise help strengthen the immune system by | | | | If you're inactive, be sure to get medical clearance |
| increasing the number of macrophages and T cells, | | | | before starting a program, and build slowly, working |
| and this too may protect against cancer. | | | | up to three or four 1- hour sessions a week. Walking, |
| Although these theories continue to gain support, | | | | aerobic classes, or running are good choices. If impact |
| questions remain: Exactly how much, at what | | | | activities are uncomfortable, try riding a stationary |
| intensity, and at what point in a woman's life span will | | | | bicycle or working out in a pool. But whatever you |
| exercise make the most difference for risk | | | | do, choose an activity that you enjoy so you'll stick |
| reduction? | | | | with it. |