Health
Exercise significantly reduces risk of breast cancer in women
Research found that women who are physically active in their youth have a lower risk of developing breast cancer in middle age.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, which causes thousands of deaths in Pakistan every year.
According to an estimate, one in every nine women in Pakistan faces breast cancer. However the good thing is that women can protect themselves from this deadly disease with a simple habit.
A study by the Institute of Cancer Research in the United Kingdom has shown that exercising can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in young women.
Research found that women who are physically active in their youth have a lower risk of developing breast cancer in middle age.
It is pertinent to note that the risk of breast cancer diagnosis is highest in women above 45 years of age.
About 550,000 women were included in this study and their health was evaluated for 12 years.
Their physical activity during this period was assessed while also looking at how many of these women were diagnosed with breast cancer.
During this period, more than 10,000 women were diagnosed with this type of cancer.
Research has found out that exercising at least three times a week, including walking, reduces the risk of breast cancer in women.
According to research, the risk of breast cancer in physically active women is reduced by 10% compared to others.
Breast cancer is more deadly in young women because the disease is usually diagnosed late, the researchers said.
They added that this is the reason to discover the means that can help prevent breast cancer.
It is not possible to predict which women may face breast cancer and therefore it is important to avoid the disease, stated researchers.
Earlier research reports also indicated that exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer in women.
It is not yet clear why exercise lowers the risk of breast cancer, however experts involved in the new study say that physical activity may lower levels of hormones that are known to cause this type of cancer.
The results of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.