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01-06-2007

Physical activity, long-term symptoms, and physical health-related quality of life among breast cancer survivors: A prospective analysis

Authors: Catherine M. Alfano, Ashley Wilder Smith, Melinda L. Irwin, Deborah J. Bowen, Bess Sorensen, Bryce B. Reeve, Kathleen A. Meeske, Leslie Bernstein, Kathy B. Baumgartner, Rachel Ballard-Barbash, Kathleen E. Malone, Anne McTiernan

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 2/2007

Abstract

Introduction

Many breast cancer survivors experience persistent physical symptoms of cancer and treatment that can decrease health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This prospective study investigated physical activity (PA), occurrence of physical symptoms, and HRQOL in a large, ethnically-diverse cohort of breast cancer survivors.

Materials and methods

Survivors (n = 545), on average 6 months post-diagnosis, were assessed in person or by mail at baseline (retrospective reports of pre-diagnosis PA), at 29 months post-diagnosis (post-diagnosis PA), and at 39 months post-diagnosis (pain, hormone symptoms, sexual interest/dysfunction, fatigue, physical subscales of HRQOL). Linear regression and analysis of covariance assessed the relationships between pre- and post-diagnosis PA and PA change after cancer with symptoms and HRQOL.

Results

Greater pre-diagnosis PA was associated with better physical functioning at 39 months (βs 1.1–2.3; all p < 0.01) but was generally unrelated to symptoms. Greater post-diagnosis sports/recreational PA was related to less fatigue and better physical functioning (βs −0.146, 2.21; both p < 0.01). Increased PA after cancer was related to less fatigue and pain and better physical functioning (all p < 0.01). Significant positive associations were found for moderate to vigorous and vigorous sports/recreation PA, not household activity. Results were similar for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women.

Discussion/conclusions

Increased PA, especially after cancer, was consistently related to better physical functioning and to reduced fatigue and bodily pain, underscoring the need for PA promotion among survivors.

Implications for cancer survivors

Survivors may be able to decrease fatigue and bodily pain and be better able to pursue daily activities through increasing recreational PA after cancer.

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Title: Physical activity, long-term symptoms, and physical health-related quality of life among breast cancer survivors: A prospective analysis
Authors: Catherine M. Alfano
Ashley Wilder Smith
Melinda L. Irwin
Deborah J. Bowen
Bess Sorensen
Bryce B. Reeve
Kathleen A. Meeske
Leslie Bernstein
Kathy B. Baumgartner
Rachel Ballard-Barbash
Kathleen E. Malone
Anne McTiernan
Publication date: 01-06-2007
Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 2/2007
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-007-0014-1

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Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion/conclusions

Implications for cancer survivors

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