Why too much sitting raises risk of getting breast cancer

EXERCISING regularly and not being a couch potato is likely to cut the risk of breast cancer, researchers say.

A study analysed data from 130,957 women of European ancestry – 69,838 had tumours that had begun to spread, 6,667 had tumours that had not yet done so, while the other 54,452 had no cancer.

Results published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that overall activity was linked with around a 40 per cent lower risk of breast cancer, while vigorous activity on three or more days a week was linked with a similar reduced risk of pre- or peri-menopausal breast cancer. Being sedentary was associated with a higher risk, including doubling the risk of triple negative breast cancer.

The team, including experts from the University of Bristol, said the study provides ‘strong evidence’ that physical activity and lower sedentary time are ‘likely to reduce breast cancer risk’.