Abstract P2-11-17: Pilot Study to Evaluate a Home-based Exercise and Weight Loss Intervention on Cardiopulmonary Fitness and Markers of Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Abstract Background: BrCa survivors have an estimated 4-fold increase in risk for developing cardiovascular disease compared to women never treated for breast cancer and a nearly 3-fold increase in breast cancer mortality in women with an exercise capacity (VO2max) less than 28mL kg−1 min−1. Cardiac events are the second most common cause of death in long-term breast cancer (BrCa) survivors. Purpose: We conducted a study to investigate the effects of standard exercise or structured exercise on targeted cardiovascular outcomes during a home-based diet and exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors. Method: Cross-sectional within- and between-group design. A total of 19 breast cancer survivors, average age of 52.6+/−9.3, were enrolled in the study. A convenient sample was enrolled into two exercise groups receiving either: standard (150 minutes per week of usual care (exercise without instruction) cardiovascular exercise + resistance training) or structured (150 minutes per week of gradual increased intensity cardiovascular exercise + resistance training) exercise instruction along with a group based behavioral weight loss intervention. All participants underwent baseline and 17 week assessments including maximal exercise testing (VO2max and minutes on the treadmill), measurements of body composition (weight, BMI, % body fat), and assessment of quality of life. Results: We report on the 16 participants who completed the baseline and 17 week assessments (9 = Standard Exercise Group; 7 = Structured Exercise Group). The structured exercise group exhibited significantly greater improvements in measures of cardiorespiratory fitness: VO2max (p = 0.05) and duration on treadmill (p = 0.02). No significant differences were noted for all other cardiorespiratory fitness testing outcomes. Significant improvements from baseline to 17 weeks were seen across both groups for all measures of body composition. Lean body mass did not significantly change from baseline to 17 weeks in both groups. There were no significant between group differences for change in body composition. Conclusion: In this study, both standard exercise and structured exercise improved CR fitness measured by VO2max, but the structured exercise group experienced significantly greater improvements. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-17.