Two of my dear friends battled ovarian cancer. Neither won the fight. Would regular exercise have lowered their risk for developing the disease? Perhaps, according to a couple of new studies.

Two new studies suggest that lack of exercise is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer and of death from the disease.

"Women may be overwhelmed with mixed messages about physical activity or exercise recommendations and opt to be inactive because they feel that they cannot meet the recommended amount of physical activity," wrote Kirsten Moysich, professor of oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. in a press release. "Our findings suggest that any amount of regular, weekly recreational physical activity may reduce the risk for and improve survival from ovarian cancer, while a lack of regular exercise throughout adulthood is associated with an increased risk of developing and dying from ovarian cancer."

In one study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 8,300 ovarian cancer patients and more than 12,600 women without ovarian cancer. Those who said they had done no recreational physical activity during their lives were 34 percent more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those who exercised regularly, the researchers found.

The link between inactivity and a higher risk of ovarian cancer was seen in both normal-weight women and those who were overweight or obese, according to the study. The findings were published online in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

The other study of more than 6,800 ovarian cancer patients found that women who were inactive in the years before the diagnosis were 22 percent to 34 percent more likely to die of the disease than those who had done at least some regular weekly exercise.

The study was published online June 14 in the British Journal of Cancer.

The bottom line: Find an exercise you love. This is additional proof that exercise can make a difference in our lives.

Q and A

Q: How safe are bagged or otherwise pre-packaged salad greens? Should these be washed before using?

A: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends against washing packaged produce items like mixed salad greens that are pre-washed and ready-to-eat. According to the FDA, "It is unlikely that consumer washing of such products will make the product cleaner compared to a commercial triple wash." Moreover, the agency warns, "It is possible that the additional handling may contaminate a product that was clean." — Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter.

RECIPE

It's the season for fresh stone fruits — peaches, nectarines, cherries, apricots and plums — and besides tasting great, they offer high amounts of vitamin C, A, fiber and antioxidants. Here's a recipe to get your morning going. It's from Environmental Nutrition newsletter.

Peaches and Cream Oatmeal

1 cup steel-cut oats

Pinch salt

3 cups water

1/2 cup skim milk

2 diced peaches

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: 1/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Bring oats, salt and water to a simmer in a medium saucepan; remove from heat and let soak overnight (in the refrigerator). In the morning, stir in milk, peaches, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Warm over medium-low heat. Serve with nuts, coconut and maple syrup, if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 263 calories, 11 g protein, 40 g carbohydrate, 8 g sugar, 8 g fat, 7 g fiber, 24 mg sodium.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with Hy-Vee in Springfield, Ill, and a spokesperson for the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD. To find out more about Charlyn Fargo and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Jay Whitmire