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Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 11/2018

Open Access 01-11-2018 | Original paper

Regular physical activity and mammographic density: a cohort study

Authors: Shadi Azam, Katja Kemp Jacobsen, Arja R. Aro, My von Euler-Chelpin, Anne Tjønneland, Ilse Vejborg, Elsebeth Lynge, Zorana J. Andersen

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 11/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle risk factor in prevention of breast cancer. Mammographic density (MD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. We investigate the association of regular physical activity with MD.

Methods

For 5,703 women who participated in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort (1993–1997) and attended mammographic screening in Copenhagen (1993–2001), MD was assessed at the first screening after cohort entry. MD was defined as a binary measure equivalent to Breast Imaging Report and Data System (BI-RADS) to either mixed/dense or fatty. Participation and duration in physical activities (hours/week) and confounders were assessed by questionnaire at cohort baseline. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations [odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI)] between physical activities and MD.

Results

56.3% of women had mixed/dense MD and 47.6% participated in sports. We found a significant positive association between participation in sports (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.03–1.28) and do-it-yourself work (1.17; 1.05–1.31) and odds of having mixed/dense MD, which attenuated (1.08; 0.96–1.22 and 1.11; 0.98–1.25, respectively) in a fully adjusted model. No associations were found for time spent on physical activities or total metabolic equivalent of task scores with MD, in fully adjusted models. There was no effect modification of association between any physical activities and MD by obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and menopause status.

Conclusions

Physical activity is not a determinant of MD.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Regular physical activity and mammographic density: a cohort study
Authors
Shadi Azam
Katja Kemp Jacobsen
Arja R. Aro
My von Euler-Chelpin
Anne Tjønneland
Ilse Vejborg
Elsebeth Lynge
Zorana J. Andersen
Publication date
01-11-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-018-1075-3

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