Breast cancer statistics show that over 1.2 million persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide this year, according to
World Health Organization. For breast cancer and prevention, it has long been known that regular physical activity has been shown to decrease likelihood of having breast cancer. What has not been known or studied has been effect of regular physical activity on breast cancer survival rates or likelihood of death in women that already have breast cancer. That is, until now.The breast cancer statistics and findings as reported by American Medical Associations Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in May 2005 were astounding! Certain participants in study of women with Stage I, II or III breast cancer achieved a 50% reduction in death rate from breast cancer.
Here are these breast cancer statistics: journal reported that in study 2,987 female registered nurses had been diagnosed with breast cancer during years 1984-1998. What study found was that women who had physical activity equivalent to walking at a steady pace of 2.0-2.9 miles per hour for 3-5 hours a week had a death rate of only 50% of death rate of women who had physical activity equivalent to walking less than one hour a week. The conclusion of breast cancer statistics in study was that physical activity after breast cancer has been diagnosed may reduce risk of death from breast cancer. The study found that there was little evidence of any relation between increased physical activity and increased benefit.
It’s time to dust off those walking shoes!
As a physical activity, walking can be done almost anytime by anyone anywhere. All that is needed is a good pair of walking shoes. Walking is fun and reduces stress. As for injuries, walking has lowest injury rate of all various kinds of exercise.
You can walk with a partner, friend, family member or dog, maybe even a neighbors dog. Or you can walk with your favorite headset and music. If you are walking outdoors with a headset, keep one ear open to hear sounds around you.
As for basic walking tips:
· As you begin regular walking, take it easy. Standard advice is to check with your physician before starting any exercise program. If it has been years or decades since you walked regularly, perhaps you can begin with 5 minutes of walking and slowly increase your time and distance.
