Breast cancer and the link to exercises

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and the second leading cause of cancer death, behind lung cancer. There are an estimated 2.3 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. Though the increase in mammography and early detection has resulted in a 2 percent per year decline in the slope of the breast cancer mortality curve, it remains the leading cause of cancer death for women between ages 20 and 59.

There are many breast cancer risk factors. All the risk factors have one thing in common: the female hormone, estrogen, which is responsible for both normal and abnormal breast cell growth. The amount of estrogen one is exposed to, and the duration of exposure can increase the risk of breast cancer. Some risk factors cannot be modified, such as genetics, family history or age at menopause. But there is one risk factor that can be modified - obesity.

You may ask, how is obesity related to estrogen exposure? Here's a little secret about the female fat cell you may not know. It is capable of producing estrogen. In fact, after menopause, adipose or fat tissue is the main site of estrogen production. How talented are our fat cells! But, there's a down side - excess fat tissue leads to increased exposure to estrogen, thus increasing the risk factor for breast cancer.

One recent study showed increasing risk the greater the Body Mass Index, or BMI (www.FindMyBMI.com). The risk of breast cancer mortality increased significantly with increasing level of obesity, compared with women with a BMI less than 25.0. Those with BMIs 40 or higher had greater than a twofold risk of getting breast cancer. That's significant - but here's the good news. You can change your BMI through diet and exercise.

Many recent studies looked at the association between physical activity and breast cancer, since weight control is the most modifiable risk factor. The results of 29 recent studies concluded there was strong evidence for an inverse association between physical activity and postmenopausal breast cancer, with risk reductions ranging from 20 to 80 percent. That means as your exercise level goes up, your risk of breast cancer goes down.

If you're overweight, post-menopausal or a breast cancer survivor, then exercise is not an option for you. It is the single best thing you can do to decrease your risk of breast cancer. Prevention and early detection is still the best cure. In addition to regular screenings, decrease your risk factor by increasing your activity level. Decreasing breast cancer risk is another reason to get moving, for better health.