Exercise and Breast Cancer Risk in Post-Menopausal Women
Author Information
Author(s): Carpenter C L, Ross R K, Paganini-Hill A, Bernstein L
Primary Institution: University of Southern California School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Is lifetime exercise activity related to breast cancer risk among post-menopausal women?
Conclusion
Strenuous exercise appears to reduce breast cancer risk among post-menopausal women who do not gain sizable amounts of weight during adulthood.
Supporting Evidence
- Women who exercised at least 17.6 MET-hours since menarche had a lower breast cancer risk.
- Exercise was not protective for women who gained considerable weight during adulthood.
- Breast cancer risk was reduced for women who consistently exercised at high levels throughout their lifetime.
- Women who exercised more than 4 hours per week for at least 12 years had a lower risk.
- Vigorous exercise during the most recent 10 years was associated with reduced risk.
Takeaway
If post-menopausal women exercise regularly, they may lower their chances of getting breast cancer, especially if they maintain a stable weight.
Methodology
Population-based case-control study of post-menopausal white women aged 55–64.
Limitations
The study did not evaluate the impact of exercise on women who gained considerable weight during adulthood.
Participant Demographics
Post-menopausal white women aged 55–64 living in Los Angeles County, California.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.37–0.83; 95% CI 0.24–0.75; 95% CI 0.40–0.88; 95% CI 0.32–0.85
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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