Simple exercise three times a week ‘slashes your risk of breast cancer by 40%’
EXERCISE can slash women’s risk of breast cancer by 41 per cent, research reveals.
It is the most common form of cancer in the UK, with 56,000 new cases per year.
A study of 131,000 women found couch potatoes face double the risk of aggressive triple negative cancer.
Those who did above average physical activity had a 41 per cent lower risk of invasive tumours.
Exercising three times a week was enough to reduce the risk by 38 per cent, the study found.
Study authors at the Breast Cancer Association Consortium said: “Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time are already recommended for cancer prevention.
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“More widespread adoption of active lifestyles may reduce the burden from the most common cancer in women.
Writing in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, they said exercise helps keep swelling under control, hormones in balance and bodyweight down – all reducing cancer risk.
Half of women in the UK do no regular exercise at all, a poll by Nuffield Health found.
A third are obese and another third are overweight, with excess flab known to raise the chance of getting breast cancer.
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Drinking too much alcohol and older age are also risk factors.
NHS guidelines say all adults should exercise daily and do at least two-and-a-half hours per week.
What are the signs and symptoms?
According to Breast Cancer Now, the signs of breast cancer include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit
- A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
- A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed
- A nipple change, for example it has become pulled in (inverted)
- Rash or crusting around the nipple
- Unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
- Changes in size or shape of the breast
- Pain in the breast or armpit - although this alone is not usually a sign of breast cancer, look out for persistent pain that's there all the time
You should see a doctor if you notice any change to the breast.
The experts added that there should be “a stronger cancer-control focus,” on efforts to get the public to exercise more.
Dr Kotryna Temcinaite, of the charity Breast Cancer Now, said: “This research highlights how vital it is that we support people to start making small, healthy lifestyle changes that can positively impact their health and help lower their risk of breast cancer.”
How to check your breasts for signs of cancer
t is important to regularly check your breasts for any changes. Breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbone and across to your armpit, so it’s vital to check these areas too.
If you feel or see any changes in your breast you should always consult your GP.
Charity CoppaFeel! recommends checking your breasts monthly, so you can pick up on any changes quickly.
Breasts do change naturally as part of your monthly menstrual cycle, so you should get to know your breasts, how they feel and what changes they usually go through to know if anything is out of the ordinary.
If you’re pregnant your breastswill go through a lot of changes,
and probably will never look the same.
Be aware of any new changes, and keep checking them regularly.
During the menopause breasts may also change size and shape, but it is still important to see your doctor over any new changes.
If any changes or lumps need further treatment, your GP may recommend a mammogram or a biopsy.
Charity Breast Cancer Now andCoppaFeel! have more information and support for people who have been diagnosed, are living with or in remission from breast cancer. The NHS website also has a page dedicated to breast cancer.
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