Women who exercise more and sit less are more likely to reduce their individual risk of breast cancer, reports a research team in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Observational studies suggest that a sedentary lifestyle is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. However, such studies cannot prove that physical inactivity causes breast cancer. This is now achieved using a modern method based on genetic properties, the so-called Mendelian randomization. The research team used 130,957 women with and without breast cancer at various stages to examine how often women with a hereditary predisposition to too much or little physical activity developed breast cancer.

It showed that women with a genetic predisposition for more physical activity had a 41 percent lower risk of invasive breast cancer. This risk was slightly influenced by whether the woman was going through menopause or the type and stage of the tumor. Genetically predicted vigorous physical activity three or more days per week was associated with a 38 percent lower risk of breast cancer. In contrast, being sensitive to a sedentary lifestyle was associated with a 104 percent higher risk of triple-negative breast cancer.

The researchers concluded from their results that sport should be used specifically for breast cancer prevention: “A strong focus of cancer control on physical activity and reduced sitting time as modifiable cancer risk factors may contribute to higher disease burden.” Looking right.”

Source: DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105132