Date of Award

12-14-2015

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Department

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

First Advisor

Swann Adams

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between breast cancer incidence and recreational physical activity. It was one of the first studies in the southeastern US to examine incident breast cancer and physical activity in an ethnically diverse cohort of women. In terms of physical activity, both lifetime and recent physical activity were analyzed. All physical activity data were from validated self-reported surveys. The study examined BMI, menopausal status and race as key confounders and effect modifiers. The study found evidence that for Black women, there was a positive relationship between the amount of lifetime physical activity and the odds of incident breast cancer. Although the mechanism isn’t fully understood, the results of this study are consistent with previous literature. This study laid a framework for future research in the areas of breast cancer, physical activity and health disparities research.

Rights

© 2015, Chisom Onyeuku

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