In a nutshell
This study looked at the association between physical activity after a diagnosis of breast cancer and breast cancer survival. The study concluded that excercise following diagnosis was associated with a decreased risk of death in breast cancer patients.
Some background
Greater physical activity has been linked with decreased risk of breast cancer. The reasons for this is not entirely clear. It is thought to be due to the effect of exercise on hormone levels (such as estrogen, which can be involved in breast cancer growth) or by increasing the activity of the immune system (the system responsible for protecting the body from infection). Physical exercise also decreases levels of body fat, which can store excess estrogen. Few studies, however, have looked at physical activity levels in the time directly after a diagnosis of breast cancer to determine whether it improves survival.
Methods & findings
This study examined the association between physical activity during the time after a breast cancer diagnosis and survival in 1,423 women. The women were interviewed shortly after their diagnosis and again 5 years later. They were asked about their recreational physical activity before and after diagnosis. Their age, weight and the severity of their cancer were taken into consideration.
Women with the highest levels of physical activity after diagnosis compared to inactive women had a 73% decreased risk of breast cancer-related death and a 67% decreased risk of death by any cause. The association between physical activity and survival was strongest in the 2 years immediately following diagnosis compared to later years.
The bottom line
This study concluded that survival was improved in those who were highly active after breast cancer diagnosis.
The fine print
The results of this study were based on information that was provided by the patients themselves. It is possible that people may have over-estimated or under-estimated the amount of physical activity that they did. This could affect the results.
What’s next?
Discuss the benefits of healthy lifestyle changes with your doctor.
Published By :
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Date :
May 01, 2014
