Women have yet one more reason to become more physically active, reduction of their risk of developing the most common gynecologic malignancy, endometrial cancer.

In a study presented by researchers from Vanderbilt University at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, it appears regular exercise as well as routine activities such as walking for transportation or performing household chores can reduce a woman’s risk for endometrial cancer by as much as 30-40 percent.

“This adds to the growing body of literature indicating that high levels of physical activity are associated with reduced risk of some cancers, including endometrial cancer,” said lead author Charles E. Matthews, assistant professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt.

“We were particularly pleased to see the beneficial effects on risk of endometrial cancer associated not only with intentional exercise but also with more accessible, less expensive and lower intensity forms of activity, such as walking for transportation and doing household chores. Our results support the idea that cancer risk reduction can be achieved by maintaining an active lifestyle.”

Matthews and his colleagues conducted in-person interviews with 832 women, ages 30-69, diagnosed with cancer of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. (Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy, affecting more than 35,000 American women each year).

Physical activity from intentional exercise as well as household chores and walking or cycling for transportation was assessed for adolescent period (ages 13-19) and in the 10 years before entering the study (adulthood). Lifetime occupational activity was also examined.

The research team also took into account major demographic factors or established endometrial cancer risk factors.

The findings include:

  * Exercise participation in both adolescence and adulthood was associated with a 30 percent-40 percent reduction in endometrial cancer risk.
  * In analyses to evaluate the separate effects of exercise and lifestyle activity, women who reported no exercise but who had more active lifestyles through household chores and/or daily walking reduced their risk by about 40 percent. Similar benefit was evident for women with less active lifestyles but who were regular exercisers.
  * Endometrial cancer risk is increased for women with more body fat as measured by body mass index. The study found that such increased risk was partially reduced for heavier women with higher levels of physical activity.

The researchers noted the benefits derived from a broad range of daily activities on endometrial cancer risk. “Given the low prevalence of exercise participation among middle-aged and older women, these findings have important public health implications. They highlight the potential for both intentional exercise and lifestyle activities in reducing endometrial cancer risk.”