Physical fitness level in Japanese breast cancer survivors / 体力科学

It has been reported that physical fitness of breast cancer patients is relatively lower due to the cancer treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, or endocrine therapy. Previous studies have revealed that not only cardiorespiratory fitness but also muscle strength is lower among breast cancer patients than no disease women and these symptoms may aggravate the health-related quality of life. However, there is no study which has focused the physical fitness level in Japanese breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical fitness level and the relationship between exercise habituation and physical fitness level in Japanese breast cancer survivors. Fifty breast cancer survivors participated in this study. Participants were assigned to either exercise habituation group (n=25) or non-exercise group (n=25). We evaluated exercise habituation using an original questionnaire and examined various physical fitness level. Body weight, body mass index, and percent body fat were significantly lower in the exercise habituation group than non-exercise group. T-score of cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly higher in the exercise habituation group than average Japanese women. These results suggested that exercise habituation is relative to body weight and cardiorespiratory fitness level in Japanese breast cancer survivors.

Exercise and drug adherence for breast cancer survivors / 体力科学

The incidence of breast cancer is rising in Japan year by year; and seems to peak at a younger age range compared to Western countries. About one half of breast cancer patients in Japan are diagnosed in their 30s to 50s. Among the cancers that frequently occur during the most productive years of life, breast cancer is considered the most serious one for survivors. Breast cancer treatments consist of surgery, hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, since all of these treatments have potential side effects, patients often stop taking therapy due to the side effects. To prevent and minimize such side effects, exercise plays a very important role. Furthermore, gaining excess weight for survivors has a negative impact on their prognosis. Thus, it is important that appropriate exercise and weight control interventions are developed.

Cancer Survivorship / 体力科学

It had been considered Cancer as a deadly disease. Due to advancement of cancer treatment, Cancer is positioned as a chronic disease and the number of cancer survivors is increasing. Our society needs to consider cancer survivorship. Cancer care enters in the next stage. Cancer survivorship have to be considered by what stage the patient is and what aspect the patient needs to be supported. Four aspects would be divided into physical, psychology, social and spiritual. Four stages are acute stage of survival, extended stage of survival, permanent stage of survival and final stage of survival. As a team, we have to pay more attention for quality of life of patients and their family, even after their cancer treatments.