[News] Housework Cuts Breast Cancer Risk

[Newsbot]

MODERATE housework can help women substantially to cut their risk of developing breast cancer, according to a study.

Researchers analysed data from 218,169 women, aged 20 to 80, in nine European countries, looking at a range of activities, including work, leisure and housework.

Pre-menopausal women who did housework were 30 per cent less likely to develop breast cancer than pre-menopausal women who did none, while post-menopausal women who did housework were 20 per cent less likely to develop the disease than those who did none.

The research, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, said: "In this large cohort of women ... increased non-occupational physical activity and, in particular, increased household activity, were significantly associated with reduced breast cancer risk, independent of other potential risk factors.

"These results strengthen the consistency of findings about the protective role of physical activity on breast cancer risk."

Some 44,100 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in the UK every year and more than 12,400 women die from the disease.

Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, which part-funded the study, said: "We already know that women who keep a healthy weight are less likely to develop breast cancer. This study suggests being physically active may also help reduce the risk and that something as simple... as doing the housework can help."

http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1925022006