Physical exercise reduces risk of breast cancer in Japanese women

Physical exercise reduces risk of breast cancer in Japanese women

( Aichi Cancer Center - June 18, 2003)

According to a study from Japan, "To evaluate the effects of physical exercise on breast cancer risk, a large-scale case-referent study of 2376 incident breast cancer cases and 18,977 non-cancer referents was conducted using data from the hospital-based epidemiologic research program at Aichi Cancer Center (HERPACC).

"To adjust appropriately for possible confounders, we examined the effects within subgroups of the study population. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.94) for twice a week or more regular exercise," wrote K. Hirose and colleagues, Aichi Cancer Center, Research Institute.

"We observed a decreased risk of breast cancer for women who regularly exercised for health twice a week or more, irrespective of menopausal status, and were able to detect greater risk reductions within particular subgroups, including women who were parous, without a family history, or non-drinkers," the researchers stated.

"Among premenopausal women, a particularly strong protective effect of physical exercise was observed (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.28-1.15) for those women whose body mass index (BMI) was high (BMI greater than or equal to 25).

"In contrast, risk reduction was found (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.50-1.01) among postmenopausal women whose BMI was medium (BMI: 22-25)," the researchers wrote.

"Stratification of history of stomach cancer screening to adjust modifying effects of healthy consciousness allows a more precise assessment of the protective effect of exercise twice a week or more, independent of stomach cancer screening history," they added.

The researchers concluded: "This study provides evidence that physical exercise, especially exercise twice a week or more, reduces the risk of breast cancer among Japanese women. (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 193-199)."

Hirose and colleagues published the results of their research in Cancer Science (Physical exercise reduces risk of breast cancer in Japanese women. Cancer Sci, 2003;94(2):193-199).

For additional information, contact K. Hirose, Aichi Cancer Center, Research Institute, Division of Epidemiology & Prevention, Chikusa Ku, 1-1 Kanokoden, Nagoya, Aichi 4648681, Japan.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of Epidemiology and Oncology. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports.