Genetic Predisposition to Excess Body Weight and Survival in Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

Is genetic predisposition to excess body weight associated with increased risk of mortality in breast cancer survivors?In this cohort study of 4177 breast cancer survivors, those with a polygenic score for body mass index in the top tertile had a 15% higher mortality risk compared with those in the bottom tertile of the score. A greater number of hours of walking per week was needed to mitigate the inherited susceptibility.These results suggest that genetic predisposition to excess body weight is associated with increased risk of mortality among breast cancer survivors and personalized lifestyle recommendations that incorporate genetic predisposition should be considered.

Corresponding Author: Clara Bodelon, PhD, MS, Department of Population Science, American Cancer Society, 270 Peachtree St NW, Ste 1300, Atlanta, GA 30303 (clara.bodelon@cancer.org).

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