P4-12-10: A Prospective Study of Physical Activity Patterns and Changes in Breast Cancer Patients during Active Breast Cancer Treatment.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Physical activity (PA) has been shown to benefit cancer patients’ physical functioning, emotional well-being, and symptom management. Moderate PA may reduce the side effects of breast cancer treatment and improve quality of life, but most of the studies have been conducted after active treatment was completed and there is little data on patterns of PA during active treatment. This study aims to evaluate patterns and changes in physical activity among breast cancer patients during active treatment. Patients and Methods We recruited 411 women with non-metastatic breast cancer between July 2010 and Dec 2010 from two major cancer hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Trained researchers interviewed participants at enrollment (before surgery), and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post surgery. Intensity and duration of PA were assessed using the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, and energy expenditure (the average calories spent per day) was calculated as metabolic equivalents (METs). Quality of life (EORTC), fatigue (BFI), socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were also assessed. After excluding 15 patients with recurrence during follow-up and 65 patients were lost to follow-up, the final sample size was 331 patients (80.5%). Results The mean (SD) age and BMI of study participants were 46.4 years and 23.3kg/m2 (SD 3.35). 83.7% of women had lumpectomy, and 70.6% and 85.9% had adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy respectively. Breast cancer patients were most likely to spend their energy in lifestyle (walking and driving) and leisure (shopping, reading, and watching TV) activities but spent little energy in sport activities (Table). Conclusion PA declined after the surgery and gradually recovered at 3 and 6 months post surgery but it did not return to the baseline level. Breast cancer patients may need encouragement and support to perform more intensive physical activities during active treatment. *Acknowledgement: The research was accomplished by the support from AMOREPACIFIC and Korea Breast Cancer Foundation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-12-10.