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Physical Activity and Cancer pp 13–42Cite as

Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Prevention

Part of the Recent Results in Cancer Research book series (RECENTCANCER,volume 186)

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed invasive malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. This chapter considers epidemiologic evidence regarding the association between physical activity and breast cancer risk from 73 studies conducted around the world. Across these studies there was a 25% average risk reduction amongst physically active women as compared to the least active women. The associations were strongest for recreational activity, for activity sustained over the lifetime or done after menopause, and for activity that is of moderate to vigorous intensity and performed regularly. There is also some evidence for a stronger effect of physical activity amongst postmenopausal women, women who are normal weight, have no family history of breast cancer, and are parous. It is likely that physical activity is associated with decreased breast cancer risk via multiple interrelated biologic pathways that may involve adiposity, sex hormones, insulin resistance, adipokines, and chronic inflammation. Future research should include prospective observational epidemiologic studies relating proposed biomarkers to breast cancer risk and also randomized controlled trials to examine how physical activity influences the proposed biomarkers. Exercise trials will provide more clarity regarding the appropriate type, dose, and timing of activity that relate to breast cancer risk reduction.

Keywords

  • Breast Cancer
  • Physical Activity
  • Postmenopausal Woman
  • Breast Cancer Risk
  • Increase Breast Cancer Risk

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population Health Research, Alberta Health Services-Cancer Care, 1331 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N2

    Brigid M. Lynch & Heather K. Neilson

  2. AHFMR Health Senior Scholar Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, 1331 29 St NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4N2

    Christine M. Friedenreich

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  1. Brigid M. Lynch
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  2. Heather K. Neilson
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  3. Christine M. Friedenreich
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Correspondence to Christine M. Friedenreich .

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  1. Fac. Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta, Van Vliet Center E488, Edmonton, T6G 2H9, Alberta, Canada

    Kerry S. Courneya

  2. Div. Population Health & Information, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 29th Street NW., 1331, Calgary, T2N 4N2, Alberta, Canada

    Christine M. Friedenreich

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Lynch, B.M., Neilson, H.K., Friedenreich, C.M. (2010). Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Prevention. In: Courneya, K., Friedenreich, C. (eds) Physical Activity and Cancer. Recent Results in Cancer Research, vol 186. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04231-7_2

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