Light physical activity reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 60%.
REPUBLIC.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world and the leading cause of death among women. survival rate breast cancer in high-income countries it exceeds 90%, in contrast to low- and middle-income countries such as India and South Africa which are both at 66% and 40%.
Fortunately, a recent study found that light physical activity was associated with a 60 percent lower risk of death among breast cancer survivors, and the results were similar for breast cancer survivors who were more active. This refers to searching from Southern Kaiser Permanente of California.
For the study, a study conducted by epidemiologist Reina Haque, involved 315 women with an average age of 71. Among them, 20.9% were African American, 8.99% Asian or Pacific Islander, 1.3% Hispanic, and 68.9% non-Hispanic white.
All participants were members of a California health care plan and had received a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer between 1996 and 2012. They were interviewed between 2013 and 2015 and completed a questionnaire detailing leisure time, physical activity and fatigue levels.
Participants were divided into three groups for physical activity, namely active, moderately active and less active, characterized by light physical activity with an average duration of less than 15 minutes per day.
Participants were followed up for an average of 7.8 years. During the study period, 14.3% of the cohort or 45 participants died. Five of these participants died of breast cancer. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that the death rate was 12.9 per thousand among active participants, 13.4 per thousand among moderately active participants, and 32.9 per thousand among less active participants. .
The risk of death was 60% lower for those who were moderately active and 58% lower for participants who were active than their less active counterparts.
“Our study shows that breast cancer survivors who exercise at a moderate level, such as walking more than 15 minutes each day, may survive just as well as those who exercise vigorously,” said Dr. Reina Haque quoted by Medical News TodayFriday (11/25/2022).
When asked why, Dr. Reina explained, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in breast cancer patients, so more physical activity correlates with longer survival. Exercise has positive effects on the body, such as lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, modulating insulin and reducing obesity.
“These positive health effects also apply to survival after a breast cancer diagnosis. Breast cancer survivors who exercise regularly have better overall health which contributes to a longer life,” Reina added.
The researchers concluded that their findings have implications for counseling patients with breast cancer. Even moderate exercise appears to be essential for prolonging life.
According to Dr. Reina, incorporating regular physical activity is one way cancer survivors can be empowered to take an active role in making lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of death and improve quality of life after cancer treatment.
However, this research still has limitations. The researchers did not include information about the participants’ dietary patterns, which could be related to their exercise and calorie intake.
