Exercise and epigenetic aging in breast cancer survivors: secondary analysis of a randomized trial
In a secondary analysis of 124 sedentary breast cancer survivors, a 12-month remotely delivered exercise program was linked to slower epigenetic aging than a contact-matched health and wellness condition. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The analyzed subsample of the randomized trial had 124 breast cancer survivors with complete data. [1]
Over 12 months, the exercise arm showed slower epigenetic aging than the health and wellness arm on GrimAge2 and DNAmFitAge clocks. [1]
Faster epigenetic aging was associated with greater cognitive decline. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Secondary analysis of a subset of participants in a randomized controlled trial (abstract)
- Population / context
- Sedentary breast cancer survivors within 5 years of diagnosis
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 30, 2026
Sedentary survivors within 5 years of diagnosis
The source is a secondary analysis of a subset of participants in a randomized controlled trial. Sedentary breast cancer survivors within 5 years of diagnosis were randomized to a remotely delivered exercise intervention or a contact-matched health and wellness condition. Whole blood samples and cognitive assessments were taken at baseline, 6 and 12 months. The analyzed subsample had 124 participants with complete data.
Supporting source [1]
Slower epigenetic aging on two clocks in the exercise arm
Over the 12-month study, the exercise arm showed slower epigenetic aging than the health and wellness arm according to GrimAge2 (P = .02) and DNAmFitAge (P = .002) clocks. Changes in epigenetic aging correlated with changes in attention and self-reported cognition: faster epigenetic aging was associated with greater cognitive decline. Blood epigenome analysis found differentially methylated sites, some mapping to genes enriched for BDNF signaling pathways.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope: associations, not proven mechanisms
The conclusion states that a 12-month exercise intervention was associated with slower epigenetic aging among breast cancer survivors. The authors suggest biological aging may be a modifiable mechanism through which exercise supports cognitive health in survivorship. These are associations from a secondary analysis of a subsample; the abstract does not establish causation, and the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a secondary analysis of a subsample, and the reported links are associations, not proof of causation.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Carlin D, Ott O, Sears DD, Ahles T, Desplats P, Hartman SJ. · europepmc.org · September 30, 2026