Supportive Tailored Exercise Program for Survivors of Breast Cancer (STEPS-BC)
This clinical trial studies whether a healthy living intervention (HLI), with or without a physical activity intervention (PAI), helps maintain the ability to exercise, heart health, and quality of life in breast cancer patients who are scheduled to receive chemotherapy treatment. Early detection and enhanced therapies for breast cancer have improved 5-year cancer-related survival rates. Unfortunately, many breast cancer survivors are at high risk for long-term exercise intolerance, decreased heart health, and lower quality of life following chemotherapy. Currently, there are no effective therapies to help patients maintain these areas throughout chemotherapy. The HLI in this study includes virtual health education classes, which provide useful information on topics like proper nutrition, managing stress, and sleep practices. This may help patients understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle during chemotherapy. The PAI in this study consists of virtual exercise sessions personalized to the needs of the patient, which may make it easier for patients to stay active during chemotherapy. HLI with PAI may be a more effective way to help maintain ability to exercise, heart health, and quality of life in breast cancer patients who are scheduled to receive chemotherapy treatment.
• Stage I-III breast cancer (including inflammatory and newly diagnosed, or locally recurrent \[if prior treatment received ≥ 2 years prior\] but not metastatic breast cancer being treated with curative intent). All molecular subtypes (estrogen receptor \[ER\], progesterone receptor \[PR\], human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 \[HER2\], etc.) are acceptable
• Scheduled to receive neoadjuvant or adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy. Patient must be enrolled ≤ 3 weeks from start of cytotoxic chemotherapy
• Age 18 to 85 years at enrollment. The upper age cut-off is due to the increased risk of injury in the older population during the CPET, which uses stationary bicycle exercise testing, outweighing the benefit of including this age group
• Must be able to complete a stationary bicycle exercise test where you pedal against some resistance on a stationary bike with supervisors at your side per patient self-report
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status ≤ 2
• Able to walk at least 2 blocks without chest pain, dyspnea, shortness of breath or fainting per patient self-report
• Able to hold breath for 8 seconds
• Must be able to read and understand English language
• Must have access to a device that allows teleconferencing (e.g., Zoom calls) or be willing to participate in the Tablet Lending Program
• Must be willing to download and use the Trainerize application to their personal device or be willing to participate in the Tablet Lending Program
• Must have a working email address to participate in teleconferencing (e.g., Zoom calls). Local National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) site staff may assist in setting up a new email address, if needed