Diet And Exercise Cuts Some Breast Cancer Deaths By 50%
It’s true.
Women with early-stage breast cancer may cut their risk of dying by 50% — just by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
It doesn’t matter if you’re thin or obese.
But you have to do it right.
In the June 10th issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers from the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego, published the surprising results of their 10-year study.
They followed 1490 women with an average age of 50 who had early-stage breast cancer.
The researchers didn’t tell the women what to eat or how much to exercise. Instead, the researchers interviewed the women about their habits and analyzed their findings.
Whether thin or obese, the women who were both physically active AND ate a healthy diet had a mortality rate of just 7%. That was half the almost 14% death rate for the rest of the patients in the study.
The women with the lowest risk of dying ate at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day AND exercised six days a week. Their exercise level was the equivalent of walking briskly for 30 minutes a day.
This effect was not seen in women who engaged in only one of these behaviors — eating healthy OR exercising regularly.
The key was to do both.
And the best part is, the only potential side effect of this cancer treatment was better health.
Technorati Tags: cancer, breast cancer, diet, exercise, healthy eating
June 15th, 2007 at 12:57 am
Another reason the breast cancer 3-day walk is such a great thing! I don’t have cancer, but I am healthier as a result of my participation, and now I’m learning so much about breast cancer, AND I’ve gained a new walking habit.
I would encourage everyone reading this to consider walking in a 3-day event near them, if not this year then next.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Jennifer,
That’s a great idea. I hope your comment spurs people to sign up and participate. Thanks for your comment.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I’m going to find out when and where the walk is where I live. I don’t have cancer either, but I think it’s a good idea, too.
June 15th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Breast cancer runs in my family. So this is good to know. Thanks.
June 15th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
It’s amazing how much difference some fruits and vegetables and a little exercise makes.
June 15th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I’m going to get involved in the breast cancer walk, too. It’s a good cause.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I almost didn’t get on the Internet today because it’s such a beautiful day outside and then I saw your post and I’m so glad I did. My friend just got diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve got to show her this. Maybe it’ll help, at least she can talk to her doctor about it.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
This is great news! It means we can finally do something. I hate feeling helpless.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
It’s interesting how this only worked if you ate the right diet and exercised. You’d think you’d get some effect from doing just one.
June 15th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Walk for breast cancer? I’m so there.
June 15th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I don’t have cancer, but I like the feeling that I can help women who do. I’m going to join the walk.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I like the fact that this is a big enough study that it seems like the results would be true. Some of these studies only follow a few people and you really have to question the results.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
For once, we’re not singled out for being heavy. This will work for us, too. Yay!
June 16th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
I’ll join up too as soon as I find out when the walk is in my city.