Fitness decreases the risk of dying from breast cancer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite that exercise reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. Now a new study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise confirms that exercise not only reduces the risk of developing cancer, but physical fitness reduces risk of dying from breast cancer.

Researchers followed a group of 14,811 women for nearly 34 years. Throughout the course of the study, each participant performed an exhaustive treadmill test where their cardiovascular fitness was measured. Then they were placed in groups depending on how fit they were. At the end of the study, researchers determined how many cases of breast cancer occurred; out of those cases, 68 resulted in death. Analyses revealed that the women who were the least fit were much more likely to die from breast cancer.

Source: Peel JB, et al. (2009). A prospective study of cardiorespiratory fitness and breast cancer mortality. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(4):742-748.

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