Exercise has long been touted as a way to reduce your risk of chronic diseases, including breast cancer.

But did you know that low-intensity exercise may be just as effective as high-intensity workouts? It’s true – recent research has shown that even light physical activity, when performed regularly, can significantly decrease a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer.

What is breast cancer?

Before we dive into the research, let’s first discuss what breast cancer is. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breast tissue. While breast cancer can affect both men and women, it is much more common in women.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

How does exercise reduce breast cancer risk?

So, how does exercise help reduce the risk of breast cancer? There are a few different ways. Firstly, exercise helps to regulate hormones in the body, including estrogen.

High levels of estrogen have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. Exercise also helps to reduce inflammation in the body, which is another risk factor for breast cancer. Additionally, exercise helps to improve overall immune function, which can help the body fight off cancer cells.

The benefits of low-intensity exercise

While many people think that high-intensity workouts are necessary for reaping the benefits of exercise, recent research has shown that this isn’t necessarily the case.

In fact, low-intensity exercise may be just as effective, if not more so, than high-intensity workouts when it comes to reducing breast cancer risk.

One study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention looked at the physical activity levels of over 3,000 women and their risk of developing breast cancer.

The study found that women who engaged in the most low-intensity activity, such as walking, had a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer than women who were less active.

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology looked at the impact of exercise on breast cancer survivors.

The study found that women who engaged in low-intensity exercise, such as walking or yoga, had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer recurrence than women who did not exercise at all.

How much exercise do you need?

So, how much exercise do you need to reduce your breast cancer risk? The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.

However, when it comes to reducing breast cancer risk, it’s important to note that even small amounts of activity can be beneficial.

For example, one study published in the journal JAMA Oncology found that even 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day, such as brisk walking, was associated with a 25% reduction in breast cancer risk in women of all ages.

How to add low-intensity exercise to your routine

Adding low-intensity exercise to your routine doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are a few ideas:.

Take a brisk walk around your neighborhood.
Join a gentle yoga or Pilates class.
Do a few laps in the pool.
Spend some time gardening or doing yard work.
Take your dog for a walk.

The key is to find an activity that you enjoy and that you can do regularly. Remember, even a little bit of low-intensity exercise can go a long way when it comes to reducing your breast cancer risk.

Conclusion

Exercise is an important tool for reducing your risk of chronic diseases, including breast cancer.

Recent research has shown that low-intensity exercise, such as walking, yoga, or gardening, may be just as effective as high-intensity workouts when it comes to reducing breast cancer risk. So, whether you’re a fitness buff or just starting out, try adding some low-intensity exercise to your routine – your body (and your breasts!) will thank you.