UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective:Physical activity (PA) adoption reduces some of the disease and treatment-related sequelae of breast cancer. As a first step towards dissemination of a telephone-based intervention to promote PA among cancer survivors, we partnered with American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program (RTR) whose volunteers provide information and emotional support to breast cancer patients. The PA intervention when delivered by research staff showed efficacy in increasing PA, improving fitness and vigor, and reducing fatigue among breast cancer survivors. This pilot study aimed at recruiting and training RTR volunteers to deliver the telephone-based PA intervention to sedentary, breast cancer survivors.

Methods:RTR volunteers (n=7, mean age=57.9 years, mean years since diagnosis=10.2, mean years volunteering with RTR=7.0) were trained to deliver the 12-week PA program to help participants adopt 30 mins. of moderate-intensity activity on 5 or more days/week. At pretreatment, posttreatment (12 weeks) and at 24 weeks, participants completed PA (7 Day Physical Activity Recall) and psychosocial measures. Pedometer readings were obtained during each week of the PA program.

Results:Fourteen breast cancer survivors (mean age=52.5 years, mean years since diagnosis=2.8, Stage 0=14%, Stage 1=29%, Stage 2=57%) have been recruited. Recruitment is on-going. Seven women have completed posttreatment assessments: reported minutes of weekly PA have increased four-fold (Pre=105.0, Post=467.5; t=1.23, p=.06) and pedometer steps during exercise walks have significantly increased (Week 1=1618.1, Week 12=3126.8, t=5.5, p<.001). The challenges of partnering with community organizations, feasibility of intervention delivery and preliminary data on participant outcomes will be presented.

Supported by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.