November 19, 2010 – Exercise lowers the risk of endometrial cancer, but the effect is less when women are overweight, according to a US study.
The study was conducted among 668 women with endometrial cancer and 665 women who did not.
Here are the results :
- Overall, women who were physically active were 34% less likely to develop endometrial cancer than those who were inactive, regardless of their weight.
- Active women who were not overweight had a 73% lower risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to inactive overweight women. This proportion was 38% among those who were active but were overweight.
- Women who were at normal weight and were inactive saw their risk decrease by 55%.
Participants who were active exercised at least 150 minutes or more of physical exercise per week and women who were overweight had a body mass index (BMI) of 25 and above.
Endometrial cancer, also called cancer of the uterus, is the most common gynecological cancer and the 4e in incidence in women (after breast, lung and colon cancers). It usually occurs after menopause. It is estimated that in 2010 there will be 4,500 new cases of endometrial cancer in Canada.
Nathalie Vigneault – PasseportSanté.net
1. The study results were presented at the recent American Association For Cancer Research (AACR) International Cancer Prevention Conference. Study to be published.
