Research from around the world

Physical activity after menopause pays off

Women with a history of breast cancer were compared to healthy women between the ages of 50 and 74 to explore the connections between lifestyle and breast cancer risk. Participants reported their physical activity from 30 to 49, and after 50.

Researchers found that the healthy women had been more active in their 30s and 40s than those who had a history of breast cancer. Taking into account the effect of other risk factors, the results suggested that the risk of developing breast cancer after menopause was one third lower in the healthy women group. Researchers also found that being physically active postmenopause was strongly associated with a lower breast cancer risk.

“There is a very encouraging message from this research – it’s never too late to take up physical activity,” says research director Professor Helena Teede. “It doesn’t have to be running marathons or taking up a team sport; try walking, gardening, tai chi or something else that you enjoy. Start slowly, with ten minutes at a time if 30 minutes is too much.”

Losing weight reduces urinary incontinence

Recent research has found that losing weight resulted in women almost halving usual weekly urinary incontinence episodes.

The Program to Reduce Incontinence by Diet and Exercise (PRIDE) saw women randomly assigned to either an intensive six-month weight-loss program of diet, exercise and behaviour modification, or to a group that received information about diet and exercise, but no training to help them change habits. Women in the intensive weight-loss group lost an average eight per cent of their body weight and reduced weekly incontinence episodes by nearly half (47 per cent). Women in the other group lost an average of 1.6 per cent of body weight and had less than a third fewer episodes (28 per cent).

“Losing weight, as part of a long term strategy for healthy living including regular physical activity and eating a variety of food groups in moderation – can lead to significant results in reducing the severity of urinary leakage,” says Jean Hailes continence physiotherapist Janetta Webb. “This adds to the body of evidence that suggests making small changes towards a healthier lifestyle can have major benefits in overall quality of life.”

Study reinforces importance of healthy living

Two papers recently published from a pilot study looked at environmental and genetic characteristics of women whose sister had breast cancer to identify factors associated with developing breast cancer.

The study found the ageing process was accelerated through DNA changes in women of greater weight and also in those who perceived they had high levels of stress in their lives. In particular, young women who became overweight and remained overweight showed greater changes.

“We know our DNA is affected by our lifestyle including smoking, what we eat, activity and stress levels. These studies highlight the need to begin – and maintain – a healthy lifestyle as early as possible,” says Jean Hailes dietitian Cate Lombard.

Content Updated May 20, 2009