Donate now
EN FR
31 January 2020
Breast cancer Colorectal cancer Obesity

Physical activity and risks of breast and colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomisation analysis

A new study led by scientists from the Section of Nutrition and Metabolism at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) provides new evidence to support the relationship between physical activity levels and lower risks of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications on 30 January 2020.

To assess the potential causal association between objective, accelerometer-based levels of physical activity and risks of breast cancer and colorectal cancer, the researchers used genetic variants associated with accelerometer-measured physical activity identified from two recent genome-wide association studies. They examined the associations of these genetic variants with risks of breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

The results support a causal relationship between higher physical activity levels and lower risks of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. This indicates that the promotion of physical activity is an effective strategy in the primary prevention of these commonly diagnosed cancer types.

Papadimitriou N, Dimou N, Tsilidis KK, Banbury B, Martin RM, Lewis SJ, et al.
Physical activity and risks of breast and colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomisation analysis
Nature Communications, Published online 30 January 2020;
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14389-8

Read the article

Publication status

Published in section: IARC News

Publication date: 31 January, 2020, 8:27

Direct link: https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/physical-activity-and-risks-of-breast-and-colorectal-cancer-a-mendelian-randomisation-analysis/

© Copyright International Agency on Research for Cancer 2024

Other news