Last month I joined my sister-in-law, Val, and my niece, Amira, for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Columbus, Ohio. The 5K run/walk raises money to fight breast cancer. And it got me thinking about how exercise itself can help prevent the disease.
Check out this info from the Komen Foundation:
- Gaining weight after menopause increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer
- Weight gain after the age of 18 may increase your risk for breast cancer
- If you have gained weight, weight loss may lower your risk for breast cancer
Of course, exercise helps fight weight gain, which in turn may lower your risk for the disease. Research shows being physically active lowers estrogen levels, fights obesity, and boosts the immune system’s ability to kill cancer cells or slow their growth.
Not all studies about exercise and breast cancer have the same results, but according to the Komen Foundation, women who are physically active on a regular basis seem to have about 20 percent lower risk of the disease compared to women who aren’t active regularly.
Oh, and there’s good news for girls like my niece, too, who turns 16 this week. I recently reported about a new study that finds being active as a teenager – even as early as age 12 – can help protect girls from breast cancer when they get older.
Go here to find out when there’s a Race for the Cure in your city. And remember, while you’re out there walking or running the 5K or doing whatever you do for exercise, you’re fighting fat and breast cancer.
Way cool!
I just love your sister in law’s shirt! It is so cool.
The news about lowering the risk of breast cancer thru exercise at young ages is great!
My daughter is active, so she’ll be even more motivated by this!
But don’t most women gain weight after menopause? Does metabolism change then?
A lot of women do gain weight after menopause and metabolism does seem to change. The book called, “Before the Change” by Ann Louise Gittleman explains why (because of hormonal changes) and what can be done about these hormonal changes in a natural way.
This is a great way to support cancer awareness. You can also send a text message to help fight Breast Cancer. mGive (text) “KOMEN” to 90999 to donate $5 to Susan G. Komen For The Cure! Spread the word!