Physical Activity Levels of Breast Cancer Patients Before Diagnosis Compared to a Reference Population: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that prediagnosis physical activity (PA) levels of breast cancer patients are below those of a reference population without breast cancer. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare prediagnosis PA levels (including total-, occupational-, sport- and household activity levels) of breast cancer patients with activity levels of a reference population. METHODS: Female patients with primary breast cancer (n = 265) filled in the Flemish Physical Activity Computerized Questionnaire (FPACQ) the day before surgery recalling the year before diagnosis. PA levels were expressed as Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) values. Smooth reference curves of PA levels were estimated in a representative sample of 3466 women without breast cancer with the LMS method, which allowed comparison of prediagnosis PA data of the breast cancer sample with this reference. RESULTS: Compared to women without breast cancer, total PA levels were significantly lower in the year prior to breast cancer diagnosis over all age groups (Mean ± SD z-scores (95% CI) = -1.51 ± 1.86 (-1.74 to -1.29)). More specifically, household PA levels of breast cancer patients were significantly lower between ages 40-60, while occupational PA levels were significantly higher in this age group. No differences were found between sports PA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with breast cancer show significantly lower total PA levels during the year prior to surgery compared to a reference population. Especially household activity levels are lower in patients between ages 40 and 60. Given this, a return to prediagnosis PA levels may not be sufficient for protection from disease in the future.

Physical activity levels after treatment for breast cancer: Two-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer treatment can have a considerable large and prolonged impact on activity levels of breast cancer survivors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the change in total physical activity level and occupational, sport and household activity levels of breast cancer survivors from preoperatively up to 24 months after breast cancer surgery. Additionally, predictive factors for this change were investigated. METHODS: Patients with primary breast cancer (n = 267) filled in the Flemish Physical Activity Computerized Questionnaire (FPACQ) before surgery and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Patient-, disease- and treatment-related factors were analyzed as predictive factors for change in physical activity. RESULTS: Two years after surgery, all activity levels (total, occupational, sport and household) were still significantly lower compared to preoperative values. After the first 12 months, no significant improvements were seen for none of the activity levels, except for the occupational activity. CONCLUSIONS: Two years after breast cancer surgery, physical activity levels are still significantly lower compared to pre-operative values. Based on this limited recovery, it seems important to monitor physical activity levels in breast cancer patients and advice these patients to stay active after surgery and return to pre-operative activity levels in the long term as well. This study indicates the importance of long term monitoring and subsequently coaching of physical activity after breast cancer surgery.