On the Coast – Families Issue 98 I February/March 2019 | Page 6

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Why housework may
prevent breast cancer
Strength of Evidence
With Dr Mary Ling, Central Coast
Breast and General Surgeon
CONVINCING
D
id you know that women who
do a lot of housework have a
lower risk of breast cancer?
Or that being taller as an adult is associated with an
increased risk of breast cancer?
Or drinking green tea has no protective effect against
breast cancer?
Cancer Australia has recently launched a website
that provides the latest evidence-based information on
68 factors that may influence a woman’s risk of breast
cancer.
Each risk factor is graded according to the strength
of evidence supporting it – from convincing, probable,
suggestive to inconclusive. Although some risk factors
for breast cancer cannot be changed (such as being
female or getting older), some can – and knowing
about the modifiable risk factors can help women make
informed lifestyle choices.
The bottom line: One in four breast cancers are
potentially preventable through lifestyle changes. So let’s
not worry about what we cannot change but rather focus on
factors we can change like maintaining a healthy weight
and minimising alcohol intake.
And whilst few of us enjoy
housework, getting fit, burning kJs
and fighting cancer is an excellent
motivating factor to get scrubbing.
Cancer Council Australia recommends 60 minutes of
moderate activity or 30 minutes of vigorous activity
every day. Moderate activity tasks include washing
windows, sweeping floors and vacuuming. Vigorous
activity tasks include shovelling, scrubbing and carrying
groceries up the stairs.
Here are some kJ benefits of common chores
PROBABLE
Physical activity – Women who do large
amounts of physical activity, including
occupational, recreational, walking and
household activity, have an approximately
13% lower risk of postmenopausal breast
cancer compared to women who do low
amounts of physical activity. 
Smoking – Tobacco smoking is associated
with an increased risk of breast cancer
especially in women who start smoking
at a young age.
SUGGESTIVE
A diet rich in dairy, calcium (not calcium
supplements) and vegetables (especially
yellow, orange and red coloured veggies)
is protective against breast cancer.
INCONCLUSIVE
15 mins bath scrubbing is
same as shoulder workout
= 100 calories (418kJ) 30 minutes of vacuuming
is same as 15 minutes
of kickboxing
= 90 calories (360kJ)
1 hour of laundry (loading
unloading hanging clothes) is
same as 100 situps
= 78 calories (326kJ) 15 minutes of dusting is
the same as 2 minutes
of planking
= 25 calories (104.6kJ)
Source: Calories Source: Good Housekeeping
Dr Mary Ling is a Breast and General Surgeon who consults at Gosford & Woy Woy
www.facebook.com/drmaryling/
& 02 4321 0302 www.drmaryling.com.au
KIDZ O N T H E C OA S T
Alcohol – Women who drink one
standard glass of alcohol each day have
a 7% higher risk of breast cancer than
non-drinkers. The risk of breast cancer
increases as the number of drinks
regularly consumed increases.
Processed meats – Eating ham, sausages
and corned beef is associated with an
increased risk of postmenopausal breast
cancer.
Get active, fight cancer
6
Weight – Being overweight or obese, and
adult weight gain increases the risk of
postmenopausal breast cancer. For each 10
cm increase in waist circumference and
for each 5-unit increase in body mass
index, the risk of breast cancer increases
by 6% and 12% respectively. 
There is limited evidence that these
influence the risk of breast cancer: eating
soy products, drinking coffee or tea,
wearing underwire bras, stress, using hair
dyes or deodorants.
Learn more at
breastcancerriskfactors.gov.au
Breast Cancer Surgery