Lifestyle Risk Factors for Breast Cancer in BRCA1/2-Mutation Carriers Around Childbearing Age

• Published in: Journal of genetic counseling 2017-08, Vol.26 (4), p.785-791
• Main Authors: van Erkelens, A., Derks, L., Sie, A. S., Egbers, L., Woldringh, G., Prins, J. B., Manders, P., Hoogerbrugge, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Alcohol; Alcohol use; Beverages; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Body mass; Body mass index; Body weight; Body weight gain; BRCA; BRCA1 protein; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - etiology; Breast Neoplasms - genetics; Carriers; Childbearing; Childbearing age; Children; Clinical Psychology; Cohort Studies; Drinks; Ethics; Exercise; Female; Genes, BRCA1; Genes, BRCA2; Genetic screening; Gynecology; Health risk assessment; Heterozygote; High risk; Human Genetics; Humans; Inactive; Life Style; Lifestyle; Lifestyles; Medical diagnosis; Mothers; Mutation; Obesity; Original Research; Ovarian cancer; Overweight; Physical activity; Post-menopause; Public Health; Risk assessment; Risk factor; Risk Factors; Risk reduction; Smoking; Sports; Weight gain; Women; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1059-7700; 1573-3599
• DOI: 10.1007/s10897-016-0049-4

BRCA1/2-mutation carriers are at high risk of breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer. Physical inactivity, overweight (body mass index ≥25, BMI), smoking, and alcohol consumption are jointly responsible for about 1 in 4 postmenopausal BC cases in the general population. Limited evidence suggests physical activity also increases BC risk in BRCA1/2-mutation carriers. Women who have children often reduce physical activity and have weight gain, which increases BC risk. We assessed aforementioned lifestyle factors in a cohort of 268 BRCA1/2 -mutation carriers around childbearing age (born between 1968 and 1983, median age 33 years, range 21–44). Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of having children on physical inactivity and overweight. Carriers were asked about lifestyle 4–6 weeks after genetic diagnosis at the Familial Cancer Clinic Nijmegen. Physical inactivity was defined as sports activity fewer than once a week. Carriers were categorized according to the age of their youngest child (no children, age 0–3 years and ≥4 years). In total, 48% of carriers were physically inactive, 41% were overweight, 27% smoked, and 70% consumed alcohol (3% ≥8 beverages/week). Physical inactivity was 4–5 times more likely in carriers with children. Overweight was not associated with having children. Carriers with children are a subgroup that may specifically benefit from lifestyle support to reduce BC risk.