Did you know that regular exercise can reduce your risk of breast cancer?
There are many well established risk factors for breast cancer and some well established protective factors for breast cancer – which means that you can actually reduce your risk through incorporation of these protective factors. Visit www.marinbreastcancer.org  the Community Epidemiology, Marin County Department of Health & Human Services breast cancer website, for a full discussion on risk factors, resources, local research, etc.

At this time, more than 30 studies have been completed and all (with the exception of one) have found that consistent physical activity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer. On May 13, 2007 comprehensive reviews were published in the journal Cancer (a journal of the American Cancer Society) that assess the state of the science of all risk factors thought to contribute to breast cancer – including a review reinforcing the importance of physical activity as a protective factor for breast cancer. The reviews were conducted by Silent Spring Institute with researchers from Harvard University, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the University of Southern California. The reviews can be found at http://sciencereview.silentspring.org/index.cfm

Summary of key points on the relationship between physical activity & breast cancer:

  • There are now more than 30 studies showing that physical activity reduces breast cancer risk. Three to 4 hours a week provides the strongest reduction in risk.
  • Women who engage in 3 hours of vigorous exercise or 4.5 hours of moderate exercise each week have been found to have 45 percent lower risk of breast cancer.
  • Both recreational and occupational exercise have shown an effect.
  • Physical activity is associated with reduced risk of both In situ and invasive breast cancer.
  • Physical activity has been shown to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer.
  • Physical activity reduces risk of ER- tumors (Estrogen Receptor negative tumors).  This is particularly important because certain drugs have been shown to reduce the risk for ER+ tumors (estrogen receptor positive tumors), but not for ER- tumors.  This is brand new research and needs to be replicated. 
  • Physical activity also is associated with a reduction in breast cancer deaths.

The Community Epidemiology Program of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services launched a large-scale scientific breast cancer research study in October 2006 called the Marin Women’s Study. When women in Marin go to get their mammogram, they will be invited to join the study and will be asked to fill out a detailed risk factor questionnaire. Some women will be asked to provide blood and/or saliva samples to help us better understand why risk factors don’t affect all women the same way. The effects of physical activity on local breast cancer risk are one of many associations that will be examined through this research. The goal is to enroll 20,000 Marin women in this important research study. For more information about the Marin Women’s Study please visit www.marinwomensstudy.org

If you have any questions about the research or if you need a connection to local resources for screening, diagnostic, treatment services please contact Kathy Koblick, MPH, Breast Cancer Project Coordinator, Marin County Department of Health & Human Services, phone (415) 507-2578, fax (415) 507-2981, kkoblick@co.marin.ca.us


Local resources (for breast cancer survivors/individuals in treatment):

The F.I.T. Program – Recovery in Exercise at Elan Fitness Center
Mary Russel, PFT
(415) 485-1945

Impact Program – Bay Club of Marin
http://www.bayclubmarin.com/pdf/BCM_Newsletter_Nov_Dec_2006.pdf (pgs. 2 and 16)

Look Good...Feel Better. From the American Cancer Society.
http://www.cancer.org

Healthy Hike – Walking Group
Marin Cancer Institute
(415) 925-7920

Aquatic Therapeutic Programs
Jewish Community Center, Marin
Caryl Sircus
(415) 444-8031

Equine Therapy Program
Marin Cancer Institute
http://www.accc-cancer.org/ONIS/articles/marapr06/profile.pdf
(415) 925-7920

 

Other Online Resources

Studies continue to show that physical activity leads to better outcomes in breast cancer survivors.