Recreational Physical Activity, Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy, and Comorbidities in the African American Breast Cancer Long-Term (AABL) Survivorship Study
Description
INTRODUCTION: African American women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) are more likely to have poorer health outcomes. U.S. guidelines support ≥150 minutes of moderate physical activity (PA) weekly, but many may not meet the guidelines. The study aim was to evaluate differences in PA for African American BC survivors by select comorbid conditions and adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT) use. SUBJECTS: The AABL survivorship study included 323 BC survivors recruited in 2015-2016. METHODS: Women completed a survivorship-focused questionnaire developed with BC survivor/expert feedback using validated measures to collect data on cancer treatment (including HT), lifestyle, and major medical comorbidities. ANALYSES: SAS 9.4 was used for univariate and bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age at survey was 59.1 years (range: 27.9-79.5). Nearly all reported at least 7 minutes of PA per week. The most common activities (≥1/month) included routine household cleaning (92.9%), shopping (94.7%), walking slowly (42.1%), and walking briskly (40.6%). Median PA was 146.25 minutes/week (range: 7-2,369 minutes/week). The use of HT varied and a higher median PA was seen among HT users. The most common comorbidities were high blood pressure (64%), high cholesterol (42%), and arthritis (45%), with nearly 90% reporting ≥ 1 major comorbidity. Women with ≥ 1 major comorbidity had lower PA levels, regardless of type. DISCUSSION: While most survivors participated in PA after diagnosis, participation varied by major comorbidities and HT use, and many were not meeting duration guidelines. These results inform targeted interventions to increase PA with the goal of improving the long-term health of African American BC survivors.
Recreational Physical Activity, Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy, and Comorbidities in the African American Breast Cancer Long-Term (AABL) Survivorship Study
INTRODUCTION: African American women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) are more likely to have poorer health outcomes. U.S. guidelines support ≥150 minutes of moderate physical activity (PA) weekly, but many may not meet the guidelines. The study aim was to evaluate differences in PA for African American BC survivors by select comorbid conditions and adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT) use. SUBJECTS: The AABL survivorship study included 323 BC survivors recruited in 2015-2016. METHODS: Women completed a survivorship-focused questionnaire developed with BC survivor/expert feedback using validated measures to collect data on cancer treatment (including HT), lifestyle, and major medical comorbidities. ANALYSES: SAS 9.4 was used for univariate and bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age at survey was 59.1 years (range: 27.9-79.5). Nearly all reported at least 7 minutes of PA per week. The most common activities (≥1/month) included routine household cleaning (92.9%), shopping (94.7%), walking slowly (42.1%), and walking briskly (40.6%). Median PA was 146.25 minutes/week (range: 7-2,369 minutes/week). The use of HT varied and a higher median PA was seen among HT users. The most common comorbidities were high blood pressure (64%), high cholesterol (42%), and arthritis (45%), with nearly 90% reporting ≥ 1 major comorbidity. Women with ≥ 1 major comorbidity had lower PA levels, regardless of type. DISCUSSION: While most survivors participated in PA after diagnosis, participation varied by major comorbidities and HT use, and many were not meeting duration guidelines. These results inform targeted interventions to increase PA with the goal of improving the long-term health of African American BC survivors.