Are you looking for an easy, enjoyable way to increase your protection against cancer? Just put one foot in front of the other.
Walking is the new cancer prevention tool
A recent study from the American Cancer Society shows that “walking at a moderate pace for an hour a day was associated with a 14 percent reduced breast cancer risk, compared to leading a sedentary lifestyle.”
The study, published online Oct. 4 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, identified more than 73,000 women past menopause who were enrolled in an American Cancer Society study on cancer incidence.
“The nice message here is, you don’t have to go out and run a marathon to lower your breast cancer risk,” said study researcher Alpa Patel, senior epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society. “Go for a nice, leisurely walk an hour a day to lower risk.”
Those who can handle more strenuous physical activity are encouraged to do so. The study showed that “an hour or more of daily strenuous physical activity was associated with a 25 percent reduced risk.”
This study doesn’t break very much new ground in the field of cancer prevention. All researchers agree that there is a link between physical activity and reduced cancer risk. But it is a terrific reminder of the importance of staying active.
“This is something nearly every woman can do,” said Dr. Laura Kruper, co-director of the breast cancer program at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif.”If you get off the couch and walk around, it would help.”