Physical activity-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors compared to healthy women

Objective To evaluate physical activity-related quality of life (PAQOL) in breast cancer survivors compared to healthy women. Methods Physical activity level was measured as not active, somewhat active, active or very active. Intensity was reported as hours per week of light, moderate and vigorous activity. Physical activity-related quality of life was measured with the Vitality Plus Scale, a self-report instrument developed and validated to measure exercise-related health benefits. Results Compared to healthy women (n = 23), breast cancer survivors (n = 23) were older (57.0 +/- 2.3 vs. 49.0 +/- 1.1 years; p < .01) and reported more light activity (4.1 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.5 hr/week; p < .05), but no differences in PAQOL. However, when grouped by physical activity level there were no differences in age, but inactive women (n = 30) had higher body mass index (29.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 25.1 +/- 1.1 kg/m(2); p < .05) and reported less moderate (1.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.8 hr/week; p < .05) and vigorous (0.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.5 hr/week; p < .01) activity than active women (n = 16). Furthermore, active women reported higher overall PAQOL, greater energy levels and quicker sleep onset than inactive women (p < .05). Conclusions In these women, moderate and vigorous physical activity and PAQOL were not influenced by breast cancer survivorship. Despite diagnosis, active women who engaged in greater amounts of moderate and vigorous activity reported better PAQOL than inactive women.