The Impact Of Objectively Measured Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviour On Quality Of Life Among Breast Cancer Survivors

• Main Authors: Lua, Pei Lin, Mohd Razif, Shahril, Nurnazahiah, Ali, Nor Syamimi, Z
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/1110/1/FH03-FF-18-12642.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/1110/

The rationale for recommendation of physical activity in cancer survivors relates to enhance behavioural changes linked with minimising lifestyle risk factors for cancer recurrence. This study aims to measure objectively measured physical activity and its association with quality of life among breast cancer survivors. A cross-sectional study involving 96 breast cancer survivors was carried out in two main government referral hospitals in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Participants wore an ActivPAL3TM monitor for seven consecutive days on the midpoint of the anterior aspect of the right thigh. The validated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ – C30) and Breast Cancer Supplementary Measure (QLQ-BR23) were used to measure quality of life of breast cancer patients. A total of 84 breast cancer survivors provided valid data for sedentary behaviour analysis. The mean age of breast cancer survivors were 52.7 ± 7.7 years and BMI were 27.8 ± 4.9 kg/m². The total waking hours of breast cancer survivors were 17.08 ± 1.09 hours/day and sleeping hours were 5.88 ± 1.15 hours/day. Most of their waking time were spent sitting/lying (9.98 ± 1.71 hours/day; 58.4%) compared to standing (5.31 ± 1.61 hours/day; 31.1%) and stepping (1.79 ± 0.59 hours/day; 10.5%). The total steps among survivors were 7374 ± 2588 steps/day. In multiple linear regression, stepping (β= 0.083, p=0.002) was positively associated with functioning score of EORTC QLQ-C30. Higher symptoms score that indicates more severe symptoms was significantly associated with higher duration spent on sitting/lying (β= 0.029, p=0.001). An increased number of longer sedentary bouts (≥ 30 minutes per sedentary bouts) significantly increases the functioning score of QLQ-BR23 (β= 1.505, p=0.005). Standing, sedentary breaks, and daily step counts were not associated with quality of life. In conclusion, breast cancer survivors spent most of their waking hours doing sedentary activities. Strategies to displace sedentary behaviour with stepping or standing and maintaining the sedentary bouts might be beneficial in increasing survivorship and preventing cancer recurrence.