The European Prospective Investigation Of Cancer (Epic) found that women who take part in moderate to high levels of exercise can reduce the chance of getting breast cancer by up to 13 per cent, Sky News reported.
The research looked at the link between diet, lifestyle and the disease in more than 8,000 women who had suffered from breast cancer.
The study found that those who were the most physically active were 13 per cent less likely to develop the disease compared with those who were physically inactive.
Women who took part in moderate exercise had an 8 per cent lower chance of getting breast cancer.
Sarah Williams, from Cancer Research UK, said the evidence bolstered already existing information on the subject.
"This study in itself isn't completely 'new' news but it does fit in very well with what we already know about breast cancer and physical activity, so it's just making that more solid," Williams was quoted as saying by the paper.
"The good news for women is that this research doesn't just look at the time we spend in the gym, it involves anything where you're basically getting a little bit out of breath, getting a bit warm, moderate activity," she added.
"So, while it obviously includes running and cycling, it also includes the gardening, playing football with the kids, anything where you're moving around, it counts," Williams said.
