Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Quality-of-Life Analysis Posttreatment in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

This study compared VO_2peak, treatment frequency and dosage, and QOL between 22 post-treated breast cancer survivors (CATotal) and 22 apparently healthy, age-matched women (CO). The CATotal group included 11 with no history of any other co-morbidities (CA) and 11 with controlled hypertension (CA + H). VO_2peak was measured using the Bruce Protocol. QOL was measured using the SF-36 survey. Significant differences were observed in VO_2peak between CATotal and CO (p = 0.014), CA and CA + H (p = 0.001), and CA + H and CO (p = 0.001). Physical, emotional, and mental health domains of the SF-36 were significantly different between CATotal and CO (p = 0.006, 0.001, and 0.05 respectively). These results suggest that breast cancer survivors with controlled hypertension can experience a significant reduction in VO_2peak when compared to apparently healthy, age-matched controls. Also, treatment frequency and dosage affected QOL in this group of survivors.

KEYWORDS:

• oncology
• antineoplastic
• menopausal status
• treated-controlled hypertension
• VO_2peak
• aerobic power

Notes

*Significant difference in number of radiation fractions received between CA and CA + H (p ≤ 0.05),

**Significant difference in total dose of radiation received between CA and CA + H (p ≤ 0.05).