Physical Activity, Proliferation and Immune Markers in Benign Breast Tissue

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.

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)