Nov 17, 2008 5:37 pm US/Eastern
Excercise & Sleep Can Cut Women's Cancer Risk
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Ladies, if you want to fight cancer, you should grab a pair of sneakers because a new study suggests that getting plenty of exercise helps reduce your risk of all types of cancer, including breast cancer.
But there's a catch, to reap that benefit, you also need to get a good night's sleep.
Lisa Nemcheck is trying to stay one step ahead of cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, she knows that exercise and sleep are important for her to stay cancer-free. She says, "I recently joined a gym, I started swimming and I exercise five times a week… I listen to my body and my body tells me that I do have to rest."
And now a
new study suggests that all women may want to follow her lead. The
National Cancer Institute found that exercising can reduce a woman's risk of getting cancer by as much as 20 percent.
Dr. Susan Boolbol of
Beth Israel Medical Center says, "This is one of the first studies out that has shown that in women who do not have a history of breast cancer, that they can actually reduce their risk by exercising."
The study didn't find the exact link between cancer risk and physical activity, but researchers believe it's connected to the fact that exercise affects hormone levels, immune function and body weight.
However, researchers found that exercise can't help you if you aren't getting a good night's sleep.
They say that getting less then seven hours a night eliminated the cancer fighting benefits of exercise, and in some cases, actually increased the risk by 50 percent.
More research needs to be done to determine the exact connections between exercise, rest and cancer.
Boolbol explains, "There are certain things that we can alter in our lifestyle to lead a healthier lifestyle and hopefully reduce our risk of developing cancer.
As for Nemcheck who has already battled the disease once, she says, "Anything that you can do to feel better and be healthier is a no brainer."
Other things you can do to reduce your risk of developing cancer, specifically breast cancer, are limit your alcohol intake, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid bad fats like saturated fats and trans-fats.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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