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One Hour, 12 Minutes A Day -- And Your Dog Can Help

Written by Dr. Dave Hnida, CBS4 Medical EditorIt doesn't take much to lower your risk of breast cancer by one-third.

A new study in the Journal Cancer shows women who regularly get about one hour and 12 minutes per day of activity have a 33% lower rate of breast cancer compared to those women who are sedentary.

Now here's the key word: activity. Not exercise. Activity.

Meaning women who get up and get moving -- walking the dog, taking the stairs, using the legs rather the phone to talk to a co-worker- it doesn't matter what- have a lower risk of cancer. It's really a matter a habit. Move whenever you can. Be active whenever you can.

More findings: you don't need to sweat -- just get up and go ... and it all adds up to protection. You don't need to do all 1:12 in one shot. Plus, you're not staring at the clock or cursing the instructor during a class at the gym.

It doesn't matter how old you are -- pre and post menopausal women got protection by getting off of the couch.

Plus, a family history of the disease doesn't rob you of protection.

The reason may be hormones; exercise or activity lower levels of hormones that stimulate the growth of cancerous tumors.

So you see, it's not all that hard to work at staying cancer free. Sure, it's no guarantee, but then again any protection is good protection. Plus think about what that activity will do for your heart, blood pressure, and waistline.

Walk, don't run (unless you want to), to a longer life.

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