Speakers
Description
Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide, with continuously improving survival rates. Increasing evidence supports the role of physical activity (PA) in reducing the risk of recurrence and mitigating modifiable risk factors such as obesity and sedentary behavior. However, promoting PA remains challenging, particularly in patients with comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the role of a kinesiologist-led exercise intervention integrated into cancer follow-up within the National Health System in promoting lifestyle modification and sustained PA engagement in women with BC and eventually comorbidities.
Methods: 26 women with a history of BC were referred by an oncologist to a supervised exercise program delivered in small groups by kinesiologists for up to two months. The intervention consisted of 60-minute sessions conducted twice weekly, based on an interval-training protocol that incorporated mobility, resistance training, core stability, and balance exercises. Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength were assessed pre- and post-intervention by a kinesiologist and an orthopedic specialist. Upon program completion, participants were encouraged to continue adapted PA independently. PA habits were assessed through a follow-up conducted within one year after the intervention.
Results: 60% of participants had comorbidities, 22% received polypharmacological treatment. 8% were metastatic disease. The mean BMI was 27.27 and 70% were sedentary. At the end of the program, adherence was 87% and 88% of participants rated the intervention as excellent. At follow-up, 65% of women reported continued engagement in PA, while 31% discontinued due to health-related issues; only 4% ceased PA due to time constraints.
Conclusions: Structured kinesiologist-led exercise program implemented within the National Health System appear effective in fostering PA awareness, adherence, and mid-term lifestyle modification in women with BC, even in the presence of comorbidities. These findings support integrating supervised exercise interventions into standard BC care follow-up is effective in promoting lifestyle changes.
Keywords
Breast cancer, kinesiologist, awareness, lifestyle
| Abstract submitters declaration | yes |
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| Conflict of Interest & Ethical Approval | yes |
