Physical Activity and Quality of Life After Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
Posted: Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Add this to the list of exercise benefits: It may help to lessen the negative impact of thoracic radiation therapy. The results of a study conducted by Sheela Krishnan, MD, of Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, and colleagues suggest that “high levels of physical activity prior to initiation of radiation therapy for cancer are associated with better physical functioning and quality of life” afterward. Dr. Krishnan presented the team’s findings during a course on cardiovascular care of the oncology patient presented by the American College of Cardiology.
The study included 133 patients (median age = 54 years; 78.2% female) with breast cancer, lung cancer, or mediastinal lymphoma who were treated with radiation to the chest, which can often increase fatigue and foster breathing difficulties. Indeed, in this cohort, a nonsignificant trend developed toward increased fatigue with increasing radiation dose. However, taking into account variations in the patients’ chemotherapy and radiation doses, results indicated that increased physical activity over time was significantly associated with concurrent improvements in fatigue and shortness of breath. Study participants with breast cancer, in particular, reported engaging in significantly increased physical activity over time and experiencing less fatigue.
The investigators collected data before and after radiation therapy was administered, as well as 5 to 9 months after the completion of radiation therapy. “Additional work is still needed to understand the types and timing of exercises that can bring about the greatest benefit,” said Dr. Krishnan in an ACC press release.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit acc.org.
