title: Physical activity and fitness in women with metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore differences in physical activity and fitness between women with metastatic breast cancer compared to healthy controls and factors associated with their physical activity levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-one women with metastatic breast cancer, aged (mean (SD)) 57.7 (9.5) and 2.9 (3.1) years after the onset of metastatic disease, and 71 healthy controls aged 55.0 (9.4) years participated. Of those with metastatic disease, 27% had bone-only metastases, 35% visceral-only metastases and 38% bone and visceral metastases. Patient-reported outcomes and physical measures of muscle strength and aerobic fitness assessments were obtained. Participants wore a SenseWear® physical activity monitor over 7 days, and the average steps/day and the time spent in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with metastases were significantly (i) less aerobically fit than the control group (25.3 (5.4) vs. 31.9 (6.1) mL • kg(-1) • min(-1); P < 0.001); (ii) weaker (e.g. lower limb strength for the metastatic and control groups was 53.5 (23.7) vs. 76.0 (27.4) kg, respectively; P < 0.001); (iii) less active, with the metastatic group attaining only 56% of the mean daily step counts of the healthy women; and (iv) more symptomatic, reporting higher levels of fatigue and dyspnoea (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women living in the community with metastatic breast cancer possessed lower aerobic fitness, reduced muscular strength and less daily physical activity compared to healthy counterparts. They also experienced poorer functioning and higher symptom burden.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women living with metastatic breast cancer may benefit from a physical activity programme to address their physical impairments.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Australia.
authors.forename: Jasmine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Glen M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Beith
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wilcken
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Currow
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Rina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Segelov
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kilbreath
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors