Exercise May Boost Breast Cancer Patients' Quality of Life

Exercise May Boost Breast Cancer Patients' Quality of Life

Study found physically active women were less likely to be depressed, fatigued during treatment

SATURDAY, April 14 (HealthDay News)  

Exercise can help improve breast cancer patients' quality of life while they undergo treatment, a new study indicates.

University of Miami researchers examined the physical activity levels and mental/physical health of 240 women with non-metastatic breast cancer (it hadn't spread to other parts of the body) who were recruited for the study four to 10 weeks after surgery.

The women who were physically active had less depression, less debilitating fatigue and a better quality of life during cancer treatment after surgery.

"Women who are physically active may also have more confidence in their own ability to continue with family-related, household, work-related or social activities, which bring meaning and satisfaction to their lives. This may lead to appraisals of lower fatigue, heightened quality of life and less depression," study author Jamie Stagl, a doctoral student in clinical health psychology, said in a university news release.

The same researchers previously found that stress management improves breast cancer treatment.

The study was slated for presentation Friday at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's annual meeting, in New Orleans.

Data and conclusions presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about breast cancer treatment.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: University of Miami, news release, April 13, 2012

Last Updated: April 14, 2012

Antioxidants May Compromise Cancer Therapy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 27 - 

A review of randomized trial data suggests that cancer patients should avoid the routine use of antioxidant supplements as they may diminish the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation.

Still, findings from different studies are conflicting and, therefore, further research is warranted to determine whether antioxidants can be safely given during cancer therapy and whether any benefit is seen.

Although research looking at antioxidant use during cancer therapy has been on-going on for nearly two decades, it remains a controversial topic, lead author Dr. Brian D. Lawenda, from the Navel Medical Center in San Diego, California, and colleagues point out in the May 27th online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

In investigating the impact of antioxidant use on radiotherapy, the researchers identified nine relevant studies, including two meta-analyses. Only three of the studies, however, were randomized controlled trials that specifically addressed the topic.

Results from the largest of the three trials suggested that antioxidant therapy reduced overall survival. However, there is evidence indicating that one antioxidant agent, amifostine, can protect certain healthy tissues from radiologic damage without increasing resistance in cancerous tissue.

Sixteen trials, including six that were placebo-controlled, were identified that looked at the effects of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapy. There was no evidence that antioxidant use reduced treatment response rates, although the authors warn that none of the studies were really large enough to address this properly.

"Despite some intriguing studies that have suggested the benefit of adjunctive antioxidant treatments in cancer patients, the totality of the available evidence is equivocal at best and leaves us with serious concerns about the potential for harm," Dr. Lawenda's team concludes.

J Natl Cancer Inst 2008;100:1-11.