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Physical Activity and Anthropometric Factors

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Breast Cancer Epidemiology

Abstract

Physical activity and certain anthropometric factors have been proposed as independent risk factors for breast cancer. Increased physical activity appears to be associated with decreased breast cancer risk, and this association is independent of the influence of anthropometric factors on risk. Conversely, anthropometric factors such as body mass index (BMI), weight change, and height appear to have effects on breast cancer risk that are independent of physical activity. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published a systematic review of the available epidemiologic literature on physical activity and weight control and concluded that sufficient evidence exists that physical activity lowers breast cancer risk and that among postmenopausal women, weight gain increases risk (IARC 2002). These findings have been confirmed in another recently published monograph (WCRF/AICR 2007). In this chapter, we first review some of the epidemiological literature linking physical activity to breast cancer risk. We then consider the literature surrounding the relationship between anthropometric factors and breast cancer risk. Finally, we discuss possible mechanistic pathways which may mediate these relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cancer Etiology, Department of Population Sciences, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA

    Katherine D. Henderson & Leslie Bernstein

  2. Division of Cancer Etiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Jennifer Prescott

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  1. Katherine D. Henderson
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  2. Jennifer Prescott
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  3. Leslie Bernstein
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Correspondence to Leslie Bernstein .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fairview Ave. N., 1100, Seattle, 98109, U.S.A.

    Christopher Li

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Henderson, K.D., Prescott, J., Bernstein, L. (2010). Physical Activity and Anthropometric Factors. In: Li, C. (eds) Breast Cancer Epidemiology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0685-4_7

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