A: With moderate exercise (such as brisk walking for 30 minutes, four times a week), the risk of breast cancer may be reduced by 37%. This is regardless of whether one is able to lose weight with exercise. However, it is important for women not to be overweight as overweight women may have twice the risk of breast cancer compared to women who are not overweight. Low fat diet has been associated with reduced risk of breast cancer in some studies, but not in others. Excessive alcohol use is associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of some cancers including breast cancer. Vitamin D3 is the preferred form of vitamin D. Women should take 1000 IU of vitamin D3 daily as well as 1000-1200 mg of calcium and discuss testing for vitamin D deficiency with their physicians.

ANSWERED BY:

Qamar J. Khan, M.D. is a breast cancer researcher and assistant professor in the division of hematology and oncology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. As part of his postgraduate training, Dr. Kahn served as a medical office at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Services in Islamabad, Pakistan. He has authored a number of published papers and has been with the University of Kansas Medical Center since 2000.