Exercise and weight gain in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

PURPOSE: Weight gain is a common side effect for women receiving adjuvant c hemotherapy and may have negative long-term implications for survival. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on wei ght gain in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Seventy-eight women who had recently received a diagn osis of breast cancer and who were beginning adjuvant chemotherapy were enr olled in a home-based exercise study during the first four cycles of chemot herapy. Weight change, body mass index, anorexia, nausea, fatigue, caloric expenditure during exercise, and functional ability were recorded. RESULTS: Women who adhered to the exercise program maintained their body we ight, while nonexercisers steadily gained weight (P < .05). There were no d ifferences in incidence or intensity of nausea or anorexia between the exer cisers and nonexercisers. Women who exercised over the four cycled of chemo therapy improved their functional ability (mean 23%) compared to the nonexe rcisers who showed significant declines in functional ability (mean -15%). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Exercise may be an effective intervention to minimiz e weight gain in women with breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant chemot herapy. Preventing weight gain in these patients may be important in preven ting recurrent disease and other comorbidities associated with excess weigh t.