Breast Cancer Clinical Trial
Physical Activity, Proliferation and Immune Markers in Benign Breast Tissue
Summary
This research study is evaluating the effect of exercise on markers in breast tissue and blood of premenopausal women who have been found to have dense breast tissue on mammogram.
Full Description
Women who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, but the processes through which exercise could make cancer less likely to occur are not known. Some research in animals has shown that exercise can slow the growth of breast cancer cells and may increase the body's own defense mechanisms by stimulating the immune system. Very little is known about the effects of exercise on breast tissue in people. Understanding what changes occur in breast tissue and related markers in blood when a woman begins to exercise could provide more information about the ways in which exercise could prevent breast cancer.
The study is designed to look at the changes that occur in markers found in breast tissue and blood in women with dense breast tissue who take part in an exercise program. Density of breast tissue is a measure of how much of the breast tissue is made up of cells rather than fat. Breast density on mammogram has been linked to the risk of developing breast cancer, with women with higher degrees of breast density having a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to women whose breasts are less dense.
Since the investigators do not know if these blood or breast tissue tests have any relationship to the development of breast cancer, the investigators do not plan to share the results of these tests with the participant or its physician. The investigators will give the participants the option of receiving the overall study results when the trial is completed, if the participant would like to receive them.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Written informed consent prior to any study-related procedures
Premenopausal women, defined as:
having regular menstrual cycles
age ≤ 50 years with an intact IUD
history of hysterectomy without oophorectomy
Heterogeneously dense or very dense (BIRADS 3 or 4) breast tissue on mammogram within the last 3 years
Physically inactive; engaging in <90 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity PA per week
No prior history of breast cancer
At least 18 years old
Physically able to exercise
English speaking and able to read English
Exclusion Criteria:
Self-reported inability to walk 2 blocks (at any pace)
Prior history of breast cancer; prior DCIS is allowable as long as participant is not taking endocrine therapy and has at least 1 breast that has not been irradiated.
On oral contraceptives; Mirena IUD is acceptable
Cardiovascular, respiratory or musculoskeletal disease or joint problems that preclude moderate physical activity. Examples would include unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction, oxygen-dependent pulmonary disease, and osteoarthritis requiring imminent joint replacement. Moderate arthritis that does not preclude physical activity is not a reason for ineligibility.
Psychiatric disorders or conditions that would preclude participation in the study intervention (e.g. untreated major depression or psychosis, substance abuse, severe personality disorder)
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There is 1 Location for this study
Boston Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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