Physical activity and sleep habits in BRCA 1/2 women

Purpose: The BRCA 1/2 mutations are the most known typologies of hereditary breast cancer (BC). In women carry these mutations, studies have provided preliminary evidence of a protective role of physical activity (PA) against BC, particularly during adolescence or early adulthood. Data from the German LIBRE study confirmed a significantly lower BC prevalence in BRCA 1/2 women who reported higher PA during their adolescence. In addition, physical activity has also been shown to improve or have a protective effect on sleep in women with a diagnosis of BC. Aim of the present study was to investigate the role of PA and sleep on BC risk factors in BRCA 1/2 women. Methods: Data analysis involved 63 women (47.6±12.4yrs) with BRCA 1/2 mutations in care at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan. The participants filled in Godin-Shepard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire and in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for the evaluation of the PA levels and sleep, respectively. Moreover, they underwent to anthropometric, metabolic, and blood sample evaluations. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 27. Results: Through the questionnaires, the women were classified as active (n=22) and inactive (n=41), and as good (n=26) and bad (n=37) sleepers. Insulin levels were found significantly lower in active compared to the inactive women (p<.05); the active women were found to be good sleepers while the inactive women were bad sleepers. Indeed, there was a statistically significant difference for the PSQI score between the two groups (p<.01). Referring to the sleep behavior, the good sleepers were classified as active while the bad sleepers were classified as inactive. Indeed, there was a statistically significant difference in the PA levels between the two groups (p<.001). In addition, the PA intensities, heavy, moderate and light, were found significantly higher in good sleepers compared to bad sleepers (p<.01; p<.01; p<.05, respectively). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the active BRCA 1/2 women has lower insulin levels and better sleep compared with inactive BRCA 1/2 women. In this population PA can play an important and protective role against BC. References Kiechle, M, et al., (2017) Feasibility of structured endurance training and Mediterranean diet in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers-an interventional randomized controlled multicenter trial (LIBRE-1). BMC Cancer 17:752 Mustian, KM, et al., (2013) Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial of Yoga for Sleep Quality Among Cancer Survivors. J Clin Oncol 31(26):3233–3241