Breast cancer BRCA 1/2 mutations: Baseline evaluations of physical activity, sleep quality, and chronotype

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) is an important tool involved in the sporadic breast cancer (BC) prevention. PA could modulate the risk factors in the majority of sporadic BC. Recently, sleep quality has been considered as an environmental risk factor for BC. BC is classified not in only sporadic BC, but also in genetic BC [1]. The mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (BRCA1/2) are the most known genetic causes for hereditary BC. Unlike sporadic BC, there is still a lack of evidences about the role of PA on genetic BC. Recently, studies provided preliminary support for a protective role of PA against BC among BRCA1/2-mutant women, particularly if occurring during adolescence. Aim of the present study was to investigate the role of PA on BC risk factors and on sleep quality in women carrying BRCA1/2 mutations [2]. METHODS: Preliminary data analysis involved 45 women (48.5±12.4yrs) with BRCA1/2 mutations, who have or not already developed BC (BRCAwithBC and BRCA-withoutBC) and in care at Fondazione IRCCS – Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan. The participants filled in: Godin- Shepard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and reduced Morningness- Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) for the evaluation of the PA level, sleep quality, and chronotype, respectively. Moreover, they underwent to anthropometric, metabolic, and blood sample evaluations. Data were analyzed with STATA 12 statistical package. RESULTS: The total sample was classified: active (GSLTPAQ =29.7±19.1) and bad sleeper (PSQI=6.8±3.7). Evening-types were found only among BRCAwithBC group. The BRCA-withBC group (n=30) was classified: inactive (23.7±16) and bad sleeper (7.3±3.4); no differences were highlighted in the anthropometric and metabolic values between active and inactive women. The BRCA-withoutBC group (n=15) was classified: active (35.7±33.3) and bad sleeper (6.2±4); active women reported better anthropometric (waist circumference, p≤0.04) and metabolic (glycemia, p≤0.009; triglycerides, p≤0.01; insulin, p≤0.007) parameters. Among active subjects, the LDL and insulin showed better values in the BRCAwithoutBC group (p≤0.02, p≤0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: These preliminary data indicated a positive relation between higher levels of PA and some anthropometric/metabolic parameters, particularly in the BRCA-withoutBC group that is the most active group. However, not all participants reached a sufficient PA level, suggesting that a structured PA intervention is needed to try to modulate the penetrance of genetic BC and to improve sleep behaviors.