Toronto - Tired women are now armed with knowledge they can use to justify putting off some of the endless “to do” list tasks they face day in and day out, putting the kids to bed, and just getting some rest.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute recently released their findings in a study they conducted, reporting that adequate sleep and exercise may reduce the risk of cancer in some women by a significant percentage.
Headed by the Institute’s James McCain, the study included almost 6,000 adult women and was conducted over the course of a decade. Researchers report that women under the age of 65 who get at least seven hours of sleep nightly, paired with at least an hour of exercise during the day, may reduce their risk of cancer by nearly half. The study was presented during a conference at the American Association of Cancer Research.
The idea of reducing the chances of illness through rest and exercise is not a new concept, and the recent study just reinforces what experts have believed for years. While many studies in recent years have shown that rest or exercise separately may play a role in decreasing cancer risk, McCain’s study is unique in that it combines the two factors. The results of the study have been described by McCain as both interesting and intriguing.