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Reduction of health risk factors through an adapted physical activity program in patients with breast cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

After a breast cancer diagnosis, patients are at high risk of reducing their physical activity and gaining weight. Lack of physical activity and weight gain are known negative but modifiable prognostic factors. An observational study of a 3-month adapted physical activity (APA) program was performed to assess its effectiveness in improving physical activity level and reducing risk factors related to health during or after breast cancer treatments.

Method

Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured at the beginning and end of the 26-session program. Body mass index (BMI) and WC to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Physical activity profile, aerobic capacity, and usual average daily energy expenditure were estimated. Median values were compared using nonparametric tests.

Results

Sixty-one (61) voluntary breast cancer patients attended 80 % of the sessions. At baseline, median (minimum–maximum) BMI was 23.3 (16.1–36.8) kg.m−2 and WC and WHtR showed metabolic risks. After 3 months, anthropometric data remained stable. Moderate physical activity significantly improved (+13 min/day) and sedentary tended to decrease (−18 min/day).

Conclusion

A 3-month APA program allows patients to limit risk factors related to health such as physical inactivity and metabolic risks. This study reinforces the need to promote physical activity as early as possible in cancer patients' care.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to all participants for providing the data issued in this study and for their participation to the APA program. The APA program is being carried out with financial support from the Rhône Committee of the French National League against Cancer. The dietician was supported by the Direction Générale de Santé and the Lions Club of Bourg-en-Bresse and Pérouges. A-M Foucaut is supported by a doctoral grant from the French National Research Agency (CIFRE/ANRT no. 426/2010). A-M Foucaut is grateful to S Chabaud for statistical assistance and to D Binks for editing assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Research and Innovation on Sport EA647, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université de Lyon, Bâtiment Raphaël DUBOIS – Campus Universitaire de la Doua, 69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France

    A.-M. Foucaut & S. E. Berthouze-Aranda

  2. Cancer, Environment and Nutrition Unit, Léon Bérard Comprehensive Cancer Center, 28 rue Laennec, 69008, Lyon, France

    A.-M. Foucaut, M. Touillaud, A.-S. Kempf-Lépine, C. Baudinet, R. Meyrand, J. Carretier & B. Fervers

  3. Laboratory « Santé, Individu, Société » EA 4128, Laennec Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lyon, 7-11 rue Guillaume Paradin – Bât B, 69008, Lyon, France

    J. Carretier & B. Fervers

  4. Nutrition Department, Léon Bérard Comprehensive Cancer Center, 28 rue Laennec, 69008, Lyon, France

    P. Bachmann

  5. Unité Cancer et Environnement, Centre Léon Bérard, 28 rue Laennec, 69008, Lyon, France

    B. Fervers

Authors
  1. A.-M. Foucaut
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  2. S. E. Berthouze-Aranda
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  7. J. Carretier
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  8. P. Bachmann
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  9. B. Fervers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Fervers.

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Foucaut, AM., Berthouze-Aranda, S.E., Touillaud, M. et al. Reduction of health risk factors through an adapted physical activity program in patients with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 22, 1097–1104 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2065-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-2065-3

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