Effectiveness of a 12-month Exercise Program on Physical Performance and Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors

Aim: The study aimed at determining whether physical exercise training improves the quality of life (QoL) and physical fitness of breast cancer survivors. Patients and Methods: A total of 573 breast cancer survivors were randomized into an exercise or a control group, 12-months after adjuvant treatments. EORTC QLQ-C30 and BR-23 questionnaires were used for evaluation of QoL, FACIT-F for fatigue and the Finnish modified version of Beck's 13-item depression scale (RBDI) for depression. Physical fitness was assessed by a 2-km walking test, and a figure-8 running test and physical activity (PA) by metabolic equivalent (MET) hours per week (MET-h/wk). Results: Figure-8 running time improved significantly among the patients of the intervention group compared with the controls (p<0.001). No significant between-