A Randomized Controlled Study of a 12-week Exercise Intervention Program Versus Observation in Early Stage Breast Cancer Patients on the Impact on Mental Health, Quality of Life and Immune Markers
Exercise in early breast cancer patients has the potential to improve depression, anxiety, fatigue, quality of life and even survival. The effects of exercise may come about by way of changes in weight, immune markers and telomere length, but data on this so far has not been conclusive. To better understand the physical, psychological, and biological effects of exercise on breast cancer survivorship, the investigators propose to perform a phase III randomized controlled trial of a 12-week exercise intervention program versus usual care in early stage breast cancer patients, and will follow up the patients prospectively for 5 years, with serial assessment of physical and functional activity, QoL, depression and anxiety scores, telomere length and plasma immune markers.
• Female
• Age 21-70 years
• Histological or cytological diagnosis of breast carcinoma
• Stage I-III breast cancer
• Has undergone curative breast cancer surgery with no clinically measurable tumor
• Between 4-12 weeks from the last adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy session, if given, whichever is later. Patients who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be enrolled and will be randomized within 4-12 weeks of breast cancer surgery.
• Able to sign informed consent
• Able to adhere to study procedures