Does Vigorous Exercise Prevent Breast Cancer in Women?
Abstract
The original purpose of the IDEA award was to recruit 36,000 additional runners to add to an existing cohort of 14,000 runners in order to create a total cohort of 50,000 who vigorously exercise. (Funding for surveillance was deferred to a future funding application.) We completed the design of the initial survey questionnaire and recruited the sample through direct mail solicitation of female running magazine subscribers and race participants. To date, we have received 31,647 questionnaires under DOD funding and should receive at least 1,800 of the additional 4,353 needed to achieve the target of 36,000 women runners. At least one mechanism for the protection of breast cancer is suggested by our baseline questionnaires. The onset of menopause (or amenorrhea) occurred significantly earlier in association with longer distances run per week. Cessation of periods was reported to occur 5 years earlier in women running 40 or more miles per week (39.5 + and - 10.2 years) compared to those running less than 10 (44.43 + and - 8.54 years). There was also a tendency (significant at P<0.0001) for menses to have started about three months later in the higher mileage runners. The effect is however small compared to the apparent acceleration of menopause.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA383009
Entities
People
- Paul T. Williams
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley