PROTECTION AGAINST

THE BIG C

Of the nearly 40 per cent of women who develop cancer at some point, those with low muscle mass don’t live as long. One theory why: Muscle improves immunity and acts as a buffer against chemotherapy drugs. (Even general exercise, such as walking, has been proven to offset the side effects of chemo – see page 26.) Professor Prado’s research shows that women with the most muscle mass experience fewer chemo side effects, such as severe nausea and diarrhoea, helping them power through treatment.