Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) has a wide range of beneficial effects on the overall health and quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between PA and health-related QOL in Malaysian BCS. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey involving 334 BCS. In addition to socio-demographic information, participants’ PA was assessed using the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Health-related QOL was assessed using the functional assessment for cancer treatment-breast (FACT-B) version 4 questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation was used to explore the relationship between PA and QOL of the participants. Results: The mean age, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were 51.9 ± 8.3 years, 60.1 ± 11.4 kg, and 25.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2, respectively. The majority of the participants were Malays (71.0%), married (83.8%), and had secondary education (52.7%). The mean total PA was 660.2 ± 797.2 whereas the mean overall QOL was 79.6 ± 17.7. Moderate-intensity PA was significantly correlated with physical well-being (r = 0.39, P = 0.009) and overall QOL (r = 0.49, P = 0.002). It was also significantly correlated with functional well-being (r = 0.57, P = 0.054) and breast cancer concern (r = 0.48, P = 0.019). Meanwhile, the total PA was correlated positively and significantly with functional well-being (r = 0.78, P = 0.041). Conclusions: This study found a significant relationship between the moderate-intensity PA and the overall QOL among the participants. The result also showed a significant relationship between moderate-intensity PA and breast cancer concern. The total PA showed a significant relationship with functional well-being. The breast cancer survivors needed to be encouraged to remain physically active.