The effect of exercise on disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with breast cancer

Background: Positive effects of exercise in cancer patients have been reported.

Aim: To investigate whether intensity, duration, and timing of exercise affect disease relapse and mortality risk in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Methods: Patients with local or locally advanced stages of BC between January 2018 and January 2020 were recruited in the study. Sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics of patients were recorded. Exercise evaluation was performed by preparing a questionnaire and asking the patients face-to-face questions in the outpatient clinic.

Results: Risk of relapse was 58% lower in patients who exercised than inactive patients (p = 0.004). Patients who exercised for 2 to 5 days per week had a 63% lower relapse risk than inactive patients (p = 0.010). Risk of relapse was 66% lower in the patients who exercised for less than 1 h or 3 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-hours per week when compared to inactive patients (p = 0.037). Similarly, relapse risk was 62% lower in patients who exercised between 1 to 3 h or 3 to 8.9 MET-hours per week than inactive patients (p = 0.026). Mortality risk was lower in patients who exercised than patients who did not (p = 0.027). A significantly decreased mortality risk was found in both groups that included patients who exercised for 1 to 5 days per week and patients who exercised for less than 3 h or 9 MET-hours per week when compared to inactive patients.

Conclusion: Exercise was associated with decreased relapse and mortality rates in patients with BC. Therefore, exercise should be recommended to BC patients as a significant component of the treatment.