Being physically active has been associated with lower risk for developing breast cancer. Now, a study has found that being active after a diagnosis may help survival. The study surveyed 315 postmenopausal survivors of early-stage breast cancer on their leisure time physical activity and tracked deaths up to eight years. Researchers found that being active or moderately active was associated with lower risk of death compared to more sedentary participants. [Activity level was calculated based on how many times a week participants reported being active for at least 15 minutes, and how strenuous that activity was.]
Compared to women who were “insufficiently active,” being active or moderately active was associated with a 60 percent lower risk of death. The U.S. national guidelines recommended that all adults aim for at least 150 minutes a week (an average of 20 minutes a day over seven days) of moderate physical activity such as brisk walking or easy bicycling, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous physical activity such as jogging, dancing, or singles tennis. The potential to preventing and survive breast cancer offers one more reason to get up and get moving.