Exercise may alter breast tissue markers linked to cancer risk

NCT ID NCT03657628

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study looks at whether a 12-week exercise program can change certain markers in breast tissue and blood of premenopausal women with dense breasts. Dense breast tissue is a known risk factor for breast cancer. The study involves 60 physically inactive women who will do strength training and aerobic exercise. Researchers will measure changes in a cell growth marker called Ki-67 and other immune-related substances to see if exercise might help lower cancer risk.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: exercise intervention (strength training and aerobic exercise)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that regular exercise changes breast tissue in a way that may lower breast cancer risk for women with dense breasts.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study with only 60 women, so results may not apply to everyone. It looks at tissue markers, not actual cancer rates, so any link to cancer prevention is uncertain.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BREAST CANCER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

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