ASPO Abstracts
Physical Activity in Young BRCA Carriers and Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2021
Abstract Body:
Purpose: BRCA carriers have up to an 80% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Among non-
carriers, an active lifestyle has been shown to decrease risk of incident breast cancer. The purpose of this
systematic review was to evaluate the relationship between adolescent and young adult (AYA) physical activity
levels and lifetime risk of breast cancer among BRCA carriers.
Methods: We searched five databases for articles that 1) captured adolescent and young adult physical activity
of any type and 2) reported incidence of breast cancer later in life among women carrying the BRCA 1 or 2
gene mutations. Two independent reviewers screened articles at both title/abstract and full text levels,
resolving differences by consensus among the full team. Two independent reviewers assessed the selected
articles using the NIH Quality Assessment Tools according to study type and used standardized forms to
extract relevant data.
Results: Of 911 articles identified in the searches, 5 articles met the full set of inclusion criteria (Observational
cohorts: N=4 retrospective; Case-control: N=1). All assessments of AYA physical activity relied on self-report.
Four-measured overall recreational activity, while one study measured sports involvement. Sample sizes
ranged from 68-1185. Overall, 4 of 5 studies showed a significant reduction in breast cancer risk with AYA
physical activity (p≤0.05). Of the four positive studies, one study stratified by pre- vs. postmenopausal status
and found a significant reduction only for premenopausal breast cancer with AYA physical activity (OR= 0.62,
95%CI 0.40-0.96; P-trend= 0.01). In addition, a significant delay in age of onset of breast cancer was
demonstrated in one study (p=0.03).
Conclusion: Though there are a limited number of studies examining AYA physical activity, the data suggest
that AYA physical activity may reduce risk of incident breast cancer among BRCA carriers. A large prospective
longitudinal cohort beginning in adolescence, and with objective measures of physical activity, would better
clarify the AYA physical activity and incident breast cancer relation among BRCA carriers.
Funding Sources: NIH (CA023074, CA217725)
Keywords: Physical Activity, BRCA1, BRCA2, AYA