Light Exercise Not Lowering Breast Cancer Risk

Moderate exercise does not have any positive effects against the breast cancer risk, found a recent study made by University of Southern California researchers. Only long-term, strenuous exercise may help to some extent, according to the researchers.

The study researched the workout history of the participants and their predisposition to breast cancer. Participants were asked if they have engaged in moderate exercise, such as golf, brisk walking, or volleyball, or strenuous exercise, such as aerobics, swimming laps, or running, since high school and until their current age, or within the last three years.

The researchers collected information about breast cancer risk factors of the participants, including family history, race, and use of hormone replacement therapy.

Women who exercised less than thirty minutes of strenuous exercise per week were more predispose to develop breast cancer, found the study. Only women who did strenuous exercise for more than five hours per week managed to diminish invasive breast cancer risk, said the researchers.

However, even strenuous exercise within the last three years offered only limited benefits, compared to strenuous exercise over a longer period of time.

The beneficial effects of moderate activity in reducing the breast cancer risk are less clear than the effects of long-term strenuous activity, resulted from this study.