title: Physical activity levels after treatment for breast cancer: one-year follow-up.
abstract: Among patients with breast cancer, few studies have examined the pattern of change of physical activity levels over time or the predictive factors for this change. Particularly sparse are studies comparing pre-surgical physical activity levels with those 12 months post-surgery. Patients with a primary operable breast cancer (N = 267) filled in the Physical Activity Computerised Questionnaire before breast surgery and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Patient-, disease- and treatment-related factors were prospectively collected. Total physical activity level and occupational, sport and household activity levels were significantly decreased the first month post-operatively and did not recover during the first year after surgery. 'Being employed' was a predictive factor for a larger decrease of the total activity level, comparing the pre-operative and 12 months post-surgery stages. Having a spouse, a pN2-3 lesion and over 20 lymph nodes dissected predicted a decrease in occupational activity. Advanced age and smoking behaviour predicted a decrease in sport activities, and not having a spouse predicted a decrease in household activities. This study showed that 1 year after breast cancer surgery, pre-operative physical activity levels were not recovered. Breast cancer patients, and in particular those at risk for a decreased physical activity level, should be identified, encouraged and guided to increase their activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. nele.devoogdt@artesis.be
authors.forename: Nele
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Devoogdt
authors.forename: Marijke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Kampen
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Geraerts
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coremans
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fieuws
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lefevre
authors.forename: Renaat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Philippaerts
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Truijen
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neven
authors.forename: Marie-Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Christiaens
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004651:Employment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult