Gardening may reduce the risk of breast cancer

Gardening has been named as one of many activities that could reduce the risk of breast cancer. According to researchers on the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (Epic), gardening, housework and walking the dog could reduce the risk of cancer by up to 13%.

The study, which was published in the International Journal of Cancer and funded by Cancer Research UK, involved 8,000 women being examined by researchers. Results showed that women who were active were 13% less likely to get breast cancer than women that were inactive. Research also showed that even women who were moderately active run an 8% lower risk.

Sara Hiom, CRUK’s director of information, said: “Exercise can include anything that leaves you slightly out of breath like doing the gardening, walking the dog or housework.

“Small changes in your daily routine can make all the difference, like taking the stairs instead of the lift or walking some of the way to work, school or the shops, and add up over the course of a week.”