Evaluation of a Physical Activity Program in Overweight Breast Cancer Patients

Patients diagnosed with breast cancer generally have a fairly well prognosis with estimated average survival rates of 73% and five year survival rates of 89% in developed countries. However, women who are obese at the time of breast cancer diagnosis seem to be at risk for a worse breast cancer related and overall survival, as compared to their normal weight counterparts. In addition, weight gain after diagnosis might be negatively associated with prognosis. Weight gain is a common phenomenon among breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy as well as receiving adjuvant anti-hormonal therapy. While sufficient physical activity and limitation of the amount of weight gain is important for all breast cancer patients, it surely is for overweight and obese patients. The recently published national guideline oncological rehabilitation provides exercise goals, for physical training based on the Dutch PA guideline "Nederlandse Norm Gezond Bewegen (NNGB)". It recommends to engage in moderate-intensity exercise (e.g. brisk walking) for at least 30 minutes a day, on at least 5 days a week. For people who are overweight (Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2) it is recommended to exercise at least 60 minutes at a moderate-intensity level, equal or more than 3 Metabolic Equivalent Task Hours (\> 3 MET/h), on at least 5 days a week. However, only 61% of the general population, meets these guidelines (8) and among cancer patients this percentage is even less. This study aims to increase the percentage of overweight breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant anti-hormonal therapy that reaches the goal of the NNGB by the oncological rehabilitation program with 20%.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

75 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Female breast cancer patients
* Diagnosis of stage I-III breast cancer, currently on adjuvant anti-hormonal treatment
* BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2
* Age 18-75 years old
* Provided informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Evidence of recurrent/metastatic breast cancer or other primary malignancy
* Uncontrolled heart disease
* Other contraindications to exercise training (e.g., orthopaedic problems)
* Dementia

• DERIVEDOrmel HL, Schroder CP, van der Schoot GGF, Westerink NL, van der Velden AWG, Poppema B, Vrieling AH, Gietema JA, Walenkamp AME, Reyners AKL. Effects of supervised exercise during adjuvant endocrine therapy in overweight or obese patients with breast cancer: The I-MOVE study. Breast. 2021 Aug;58:138-146. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.05.004. Epub 2021 May 15. PMID 34023558