Can Exercise Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

“But this doesn’t mean you need to become a gym rat,” says Dr. Onger. “Just being more active can bring really positive results.”

What types of activity count as exercise?

If you’re looking to lower your breast cancer risk through exercise, doing so may be as simple as trying activities such as:

Walking, hiking or running.Swimming or water workouts.Cycling.Dancing.Doing physical chores, like gardening and yard work.

If you’re new to fitness and feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting up a program, be patient and give yourself time.

“Slowly incorporate exercise into your weekly routine, starting with a reasonable amount you can build on,” advises Dr. Moore. “Eventually, you should be able to incorporate some type of physical activity into every day.”

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It’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program, too.

Exercising after a breast cancer diagnosis

Can exercising regularly guarantee that you won’t get breast cancer? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is no. Activity and fitness merely reduce risk while making you a healthier person.

But if you get breast cancer despite being a workout warrior, know that exercise can help with your recovery. An analysis of studies showed that physical activity after diagnosis was associated with:

24% reduction in breast cancer recurrence.34% fewer deaths from breast cancer.41% fewer deaths from all causes, as exercise can lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes and other cancers.

The connection once again centers largely on weight management and the health benefits that come with a leaner body. “People don’t always like to talk about weight, but it’s important,” states Dr. Onger.

Final thoughts

Breast cancer ranks as the most common cancer in the world. On average, 1 out of 8 women and people AFAB will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

There’s no question that exercise can minimize your risk of getting the disease (or help with recovery after a diagnosis).

“When it comes to breast cancer, there are modifiable risk factors — or things you can do to reduce your risk,” encourages Dr. Onger. “Physical activity and weight management are at the top of that list.”