title: Physical activity and body composition, body physique, and quality of life in premenopausal breast cancer patients during endocrine therapy--a feasibility study.
abstract: Endocrine therapy (ET) is a common method of treatment in breast cancer patients; however, its negative impact on body composition, body physique (physical body shape/measurements), and quality of life (QoL) remains controversial. Previous studies have shown physical exercise can have a positive effect on QoL in breast cancer patients, especially premenopausal subjects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this feasibility study, we sought to assess the impact that physical exercise had on body composition and QoL in premenopausal breast cancer patients undergoing ET, and to determine the appropriateness of further testing of this intervention in this patient group.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved 41 premenopausal female breast cancer patients before and after six, 12, and 18 months of ET. Aerobic training began in the 6th month and resistance training was added in the 12th month. Body composition was evaluated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, body physique was evaluated using anthropometric measurement techniques, and QoL was evaluated using questionnaires from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial period of ET with no exercise resulted in a reduction in fat-free body mass (FFBM), an increase in fat body mass (FBM), and a decline in QoL scores. Adding aerobic training resulted in a reduction of FBM and percentage of android fat, and improved QoL scores. The introduction of resistance training further reduced percentage of android and gynoid fat, increased FFBM, and further improved QoL scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ET negatively impacts body composition, body physique, and QoL of premenopausal breast cancer patients. This feasibility study shows that physical activity may improve QoL and reduce adverse effects of ET on body composition and body physique, indicating appropriateness for further investigation on the use of exercise programs in premenopausal breast cancer patients to improve the outcomes of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, The Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznan, Poland. khojan@op.pl
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hojan
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molińska-Glura
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milecki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D017273:Goserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen; D017273:Goserelin