Physical activity levels and preferences of patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy in Chile

Purpose In Chilean patients with breast cancer (BC) receiving chemotherapy we aimed to (a) report the levels of physical activity (PA), (b) compare clinical/socio-demographic parameters among patients with different levels of PA, and (c) explore exercise preferences. Methods Patients ( n  = 112) com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supportive care in cancer 2019-08, Vol.27 (8), p.2941-2947
Main Authors: Ramírez-Parada, Karol, Courneya, Kerry S., Muñiz, Sabrina, Sánchez, César, Fernández-Verdejo, Rodrigo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breast cancer
Cancer
Cancer patients
Chemotherapy
Exercise
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Nursing
Nursing Research
Oncology
Original Article
Pain Medicine
Patient compliance
Physical fitness
Questionnaires
Rehabilitation Medicine
Sociodemographics
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Summary:Purpose In Chilean patients with breast cancer (BC) receiving chemotherapy we aimed to (a) report the levels of physical activity (PA), (b) compare clinical/socio-demographic parameters among patients with different levels of PA, and (c) explore exercise preferences. Methods Patients ( n  = 112) completed a questionnaire regarding their PA habits, and another questionnaire regarding their preferences for an exercise program. Patients were then divided into three groups based on the exercise guidelines for patients with BC (150 min/week of moderate exercise, or 75 min/week of vigorous exercise). The groups were (i) not engaging in any moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), (ii) engaging in some MVPA, but not meeting the guidelines, and (iii) meeting the guidelines. Clinical/socio-demographic parameters and preferences for exercise were compared between groups. Results Only 13% of patients with BC met the exercise guidelines. These patients were younger, had been diagnosed more recently, and had fewer children than patients not engaging in MVPA. There were no differences in the preferences for exercise between groups. Overall, patients preferred to exercise with other patients (76%), at moderate intensity (67%), performing different activities (94%), supervised (94%), with a fixed schedule (69%), and to do group activities (90%). Conclusion Most patients with BC receiving chemotherapy did not meet the exercise guidelines. Patients > 50 years old and with > 2 children were the most inactive. Efforts to increase PA levels should focus especially on these patients. The preferences for exercise reported here will help to increase adherence to exercise programs and improve outcomes for these patients in Chile.
ISSN:0941-4355
1433-7339
1433-7339
DOI:10.1007/s00520-018-4595-1