Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Quality of Life among Breast and Gynaecology Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background: Increasing physical activity and reducing sitting time was recommended to cancer survivors after cancer treatment for sustained health and to enhance the quality of life. This study aimed to determine the association of physical activity and sitting time with quality of life among the Malay breast and gynaecological cancer survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 breast and gynaecology cancer survivor subjects. The Malay International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity and sitting time. Quality of life was assessed using the Malay EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and anthropometric measurements were also obtained in this study. Results: The mean age of the subject was 51.8 ± 7.7 years old and the duration of survivorship was 4.3 ± 3.4 years. A total of 76.8% of subjects were categorized as having low physical activity level with a mean MET 403.5 ± 332.7 minutes/week and sitting time of 416.9 ± 151.0 minutes/ day. Overall, subjects aged 50 years and above (p=0.006), widowed (p=0.032), retired (p=0.029) and had other noncommunicable diseases (p=0.005) showed lower levels of physical activity. Increased physical activity had a positive effect on physical function (r=0.2, p=0.038), reduced insomnia (r=-0.3, p<0.001) and constipation symptoms (r=-0.3, p=0.012) domains of quality of life. The longer the sitting period showed more severe insomnia symptoms (r=0.2, p=0.03) but improved social function (r=0.2, p=0.012). Conclusions: Increasing physical activity and reducing sitting time have a positive effect on the quality of life of cancer survivors. The focus of health education should be prioritized to older adults (50 years and above), widows, retirees, and those with other comorbidities as they are at risk of being not physically active.

182 Associations between modifiable lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life among endometrial carcinoma survivors – a cross-sectional study

“…Nearly 70% of women in our study were overweight or obese, with a BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 . This is in line with findings from previous studies [26][27][28] and is expected in a population of endometrial carcinoma survivors as obesity or overweight is one of the main risk factors for this disease [1]. The cutoff of BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 may be more relevant for endometrial carcinoma survivors than BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 .…”

“…The study by Schleisinger and collegues [25], investigated several lifestyle factors and found the strongest association between BMI and global health status. Zainordin and colleagues, could however not demonstrate this association in a recent study among breast and gynecological cancer survivors [26]. This study assessed intensity of physical activity and sitting time by the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ).…”

“…Previous studies investigating lifestyle factors and their relation to HRQoL have used different ways of classifying lifestyle behaviors, as well as a variety of different measurement tools for capturing HRQoL. Although the EORTC QLQ-C30 is most used [26][27][28][29], there is no general consensus or gold standard for HRQoL questionnaires, making direct comparisons between studies challenging. Our study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to use EORTC QoL working group thresholds for clinical importance to compare HRQoL between groups.…”

Associations of Physical Activity and Handgrip Strength with Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Korean Cancer Survivors

“…The associations between physical activity and muscular strength and HRQoL has also been reported in other ethnic populations [ 10 , 18 , 20 ]. In a cross-sectional study of 191 Chinese pediatric cancer survivors (aged 9 to 16 years), for instance, Cheung et al [ 34 ] demonstrated that higher PA was associated with better physical, emotional, social, and school functioning, and that greater handgrip strength was associated with better physical and emotional functioning.…”

“…Physical activity is also associated with reduced odds of developing sarcopenia and increased odds of reversing sarcopenia in cancer patients [ 10 ]. Substantial evidence from randomized trials supports the potential for physical activity to reduce cancer-related symptoms and improve physical functioning [ 14 , 15 , 16 ] and HRQoL [ 17 , 18 ]. Considering the therapeutic potential of physical activity and muscular strength against the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of anticancer treatments, physical activity is recommended highly before, during, and after treatment [ 19 ].…”