Irving, TX – Post-menopausal women looking for ways to lower their breast cancer risks may only need to get physical to see their chances of developing this disease drop. That’s the finding of a new study out of Canada that showed women who exercise regularly can dramatically lower their breast cancer risk.

“The good news out of the study is that basic exercise that burns fat can have a big impact on odds while also helping women improve their overall health,” says Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the Las Colinas Cancer Center. “The bad news, however, is that women will find they might have to exercise a little longer than a normal routine to realize the benefits.”

The Canadian study involved a group of 400 women, age 50 and up, who were asked to incorporate regular exercise into their routines. About half the group was asked to exercise about 30 minutes a day five days a week. The other half worked out twice as much, logging a total of 5 hours exercise a week. The study followed the women over the course of a year. When all was said and done, researchers at Alberta Health Service found that women who exercised following the lighter schedule saw their breast cancer risks fall by about 4.6 percent. Those who exercised longer saw their risk drop by about 6.9 percent.

“While there are many factors that can increase – or lower – a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer, a few extra minutes of exercise daily might make a difference for some,” says Dr. Echt. “Since regular activity is also vital for overall health, adding those minutes to a regular routine just make good sense.”

About Las Colinas Cancer Center
Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care. Our state-of-the-art facility, located in North Texas, offers those battling cancer and blood disorders a safe haven where they can find professional care from some of the nation’s most experienced oncology specialists in a supportive, caring environment with an integrated approach to treatment.