New research confirms the important role of exercise in preventing breast cancer.
A 16-year study of more than 85,000 nurses published last week in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that women who spend seven hours a week or more engaged in at least moderate exercise lower their risk of breast cancer by 20 percent. Researchers believe exercise wards off breast cancer by lowering the body's level of estrogen, which stimulates breast cell growth. Because a woman's ovaries pump out estrogen in the reproductive years and fat cells continue to produce it after menopause, it is important to exercise consistently throughout life, says Rockhill. Plus, moving those bones also fights heart disease, stroke, colorectal cancer, and osteoporosis. If cabin fever hasn't set in yet, consider a cruise-ship condo.