Abstract A33: Engaging stakeholders to improve quality of life in Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers: Lessons learned from a community-based organization

PURPOSE Quality of life of breast cancer survivors 8 years after diagnosis was compared with that among similarly aged women who had never confronted cancer (controls). METHODS Survivors of a consecutive series of 227 breast cancer patients first treated in 1984 were approached for this study. Random-digit dialing was used to identify controls with the same age and residential distribution as the survivors. Quality of life was assessed in terms of physical health, functional status, psychologic distress, and social functioning. RESULTS Participation was obtained from 96% (n = 124) of 129 eligible survivors and 61% (n = 262) of 427 potentially eligible controls. Consistently smaller proportions of survivors reported positive quality-of-life outcomes compared with controls, but these differences were generally small and nonsignificant statistically. When limited to women who remained free of disease over the entire follow-up period (n = 98), survivors' quality of life was similar to that among controls, with the exception of arm problems and sexual satisfaction for those women who lived with a partner. In contrast, survivors who developed recurrence or new primary breast cancer (n = 26) experienced a worse quality of life in all domains except social functioning. CONCLUSION In most domains and for women without further disease events after diagnosis, quality of life does not seem to be permanently and globally impaired by breast cancer. Consequently, breast cancer survivors who remain free of disease probably do not need organized late psychosocial follow-up to improve quality of life. However, arm problems and sexuality are two areas in which additional effort may be still needed to improve quality of life of long-term survivors.

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Implementation of a supervised exercise rehabilitation program in breast cancer survivors to improve quality of life, exercise endurance and fatigue in a rural oncology clinic.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2015.33.15_suppl.e20615 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e20615-e20615

Author(s):

Angela D. Adams ◽

Rose Harris ◽

Brian Vaughan ◽

Sridhar Srinivasan ◽

Jawad Sheqwara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Exercise Rehabilitation ◽

Supervised Exercise ◽

Exercise Endurance

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Combined Exercise is Best Exercise Modality to Improve Quality of life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

10.3390/ecerph-3-09055 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Feng Hong ◽

Yiqun Fang ◽

Weibing Ye

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Improve Quality ◽

Exercise Modality ◽

Combined Exercise

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QUALITY OF LIFE IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: AN ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BREAST CANCER DRAGON BOAT RACERS

Lymphology ◽

10.2458/lymph.4671 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

Author(s):

L Koehler ◽

S Rosenberg ◽

J Cater ◽

K Mikolajczyk ◽

A Moran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Community Based ◽

Dragon Boat ◽

Boat Racing

Resistance exercise is deemed safe for women recovering from conventional breast cancer therapies but few clinicians are aware that dragon boat racing, as a form of resistive exercise, is available to the breast cancer community. The objectives of this study were to 1) increase clinician awareness of dragon boat racing (DBR) in breast cancer survivors as a community-based physical activity, and 2) evaluate quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors with or without lymphedema who participate in DBR. This prospective, observational study surveyed 1,069 international breast cancer dragon boat racers from eight countries to compare function, activity, and participation in women with and without self-reported lymphedema using the Lymph-ICF questionnaire. Seventy-one percent of women (n=758) completed the questionnaires. Results revealed significantly higher Lymph-ICF scores in the lymphedema participants, signifying reduced QOL, when compared to the nonlymphedema participants (p<0.05), except for "go on vacation" for which no statistical difference was reported (p=0.20). International breast cancer survivors with lymphedema participating in DBR at an international competition had reduced function, limited activity, and restricted participation compared to participants without lymphedema. Clinicians should consider utilizing DBR as a community-based activity to support exercise and physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis.

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Underserved community-based walking program for breast cancer survivors.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2016.34.3_suppl.e288 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. e288-e288

Author(s):

Judy Angela Tjoe ◽

Linda B. Piacentine ◽

Karen M. Robinson ◽

Alexander V. Ng ◽

Leslie J. Waltke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Based ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Walking Program

e288 Background: Advancements in early detection and new treatment options have improved outcomes for breast cancer survivors (BCS). With increased survivorship, improving quality of life (QOL) may be a challenge for some women. Exercise improves QOL for BCS and decreases recurrence, but, despite this many women do not routinely exercise. Underserved areas are at particular risk. Few studies have examined factors influencing exercise initiation and maintenance in underserved areas among minority overweight women. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine physiological outcomes and motivational factors in a community-based goal oriented walking program for BCS. Methods: A convenience sample of female BCS was recruited from an inner-city community center 12-week walking program. Women participated in physiological testing and focus groups before and after the program. Data was collected regarding strength, fitness, quality of life, and motivation of the women. Quantitative data was analyzed with paired t-tests. Two researchers independently analyzed focus groups’ transcriptions and like statements and phrases were coded. Themes emerged after discussions between the researchers. Results: The 13 participants [overweight BMI (n = 2), and obese BMI (n = 11)] had a mean survivorship of 5.4 years (range .25-14.5) years. Only 7 participants completed both pre and post physiological testing. Functional endurance significantly improved as indicated by the 6 Minute Walk Test (pre = 503(56), post = 570 (63) meters, mean(sd)), p = 0.02). While overall QOL did not improve, functional well-being showed significant improvement. Two focus group sessions were held at the beginning (n = 13) and end (n = 11) of the program. Themes emerged identifying 1) Treatment Weight Gain, 2) Familial Support, 3) Not Wanting to Go it Alone, 4) The Team Made the Difference Conclusions: Female BCS spoke of interpersonal and environmental factors involved in the decision to engage and maintain exercise with the walking program. Further research is needed to examine exercise motivation in underserved, overweight and obese breast cancer survivors.

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