Potential Mechanisms behind Physical Exercise vs. Epigenetic Regulation for Preventing Breast Cancer

Abstract

Potential Mechanisms behind Physical Exercise vs. Epigenetic Regulation for Preventing Breast CancerSubmit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com recent years, new applications in both diagnosis and treatment have gradually reduced female breast cancer incidence rates [1]. Considering alternative prevention and therapeutic methods, physical exercise has recently been gaining increased attention in the clinic. Regular exercise appears to lower breast cancer risk by about 10-20 percent, which is a considerable impact from a non-pharmacologic intervention with no cost. Thus, the recently emerging field of exercise-oncology research will be expected to not only clarify the mechanisms behind prevention, but also shed light on future treatment for breast cancer. In this current review, we will summarize recent studies on physical exercise with respect to breast cancer, and discuss their relationship and possible underlying mechanisms. Risk factors for breast cancerBreast cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide (link: https://www.breastfriends.org). It is a tremendous disease, affecting lifespan and healthspan. The incidence of breast cancer is increasing every year, and an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. in 2017 (link: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/ understand_bc/statistics). Throughout the world, every year more than 400,000 deaths are caused by breast cancer and, out of these diagnosed cases, there are more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors [2].Generally, there are two aspects of risk factors for breast cancer (see Table1): (1) [68][69][70]. On the other hand, due to genetic susceptibility influences, which are inherited and unchangeable; the non-modifiable factors are not easily controllable risks for breast cancer. Therefore, it is feasible to reduce the risk factors that are not inherited, but can be changed. Among these modifiable risk factors, physical exercise behaviors not only are beneficial for preventing all stages of cancer development [71], but also are helpful to maintain a healthy weight and reduce risks for developing other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke [72]. Furthermore, physical activity (PA) has been increasingly regarded as the nonpharmacologic intervention for many cancer patients to combat both the physiologic and psychological effects of cancer treatment [73]. A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report shows that physical inactivity remains one of the most important risk factors for total cancer related mortality (responsible for 6% of total deaths) along with overweight and obesity (responsible for another 5%) [74]. AbstractBreast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and has been the second leading cause of death due to cancer among women worldwide. It is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast and become deadly when they metastasize, spreading to oth...