Exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer mortality
- IHRSA Health Review

Despite advances in medical technology and diagnosis, breast cancer is still the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Much research shows that insulin is a major risk factor for developing, and prolonging breast cancer. Increased insulin has also been linked to increased breast cancer mortality. Researchers set out to determine how physical activity impacts insulin levels.

Subjects were 75 postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and were randomly assigned to an exercise or usual care group. The exercise group participated in 120 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, while the usual care group maintained their current activity level. A blood sample was collected to measure insulin and insulin growth factors. The women in the exercise experienced significant decreases in insulin and insulin growth factors, whereas the others had increases in insulin. This may explain the link between exercise and lower mortality for breast cancer sufferers.

Back to the list of articles