The Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cancer Markers and Quality of Life Women with Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract Background Exercise interventions in order to improve disease-related symptoms and improve quality of life in cancer patients are an approach that has received a lot of attention in recent years. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on cancer recovery and to determine the change of cancer markers before and after treatment. Methods 70 women between 18–65 years were included in this study during chemotherapy. They were part of two groups; aerobic exercise (Group I) and control (Group II) groups. Their demographic features, quality of life and some cancer markers were evaluated. Assessments were done pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy. In aerobic exercise group third a week aerobic exercises on submaximal level applied. A 12-week exercise program was planned, conducted under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Results As a result of this study, the quality of life in the aerobic exercise group was significantly higher in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment (p < 0.05). The three most commonly used cancer markers were measured in the blood of women with breast cancer pre and post treatment. In the pre-treatment period, the mean serum levels of CEA, CEA 15 − 3, and CEA 19 − 9 were similar in Group I and Group II (p > 0.05). In terms of post-treatment evaluation results, the women in Group I had a greater decrease in CEA, CEA 15 − 3, and CEA 19.9 values than the women in Group II (p < 0.05). Conclusion Aerobic exercise has a positive effect on physical function, role function, cognitive state and emotional state, which are subtitles of quality of life. It has been determined that the decrease of cancer markers in blood serum is greater with aerobic exercise.