Abstract

Background/Introduction/Objective: Premenopausal women treated for breast cancer are at high risk for bone loss. This trial examined the effects of a 1-year combined aerobic and resistance exercise program on bone mineral density (BMD) in women treated for premenopausal breast cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Premenopausal women (n=206) age =55 years at cancer diagnosis who were within two years of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were randomized to a 12-month exercise program or a control group. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 1 year; blood was drawn for skeletal markers. Change from baseline to end of study was compared within and between treatment groups using paired and unpaired t-tests.RESULTS: Lumbar spine BMD declined in both treatment groups with no significant difference between treatment groups (-0.008±0.003g/cm2 exercise vs. -0.014±0.003g/cm2 control, p=0.24). However, among the women who did not lose lean mass during the study (n=100, 54 control, 46 exercise), the exercise intervention prevented lumbar spine bone loss (0.001±0.005g/cm2 treatment group vs. -0.014±0.005g/cm2 control group, p=0.03). Bone turnover markers decreased significantly in both groups with no differences between groups.CONCLUSIONS: Among women who maintained lean mass, our exercise intervention prevented bone loss; however, our intervention did not prevent bone loss among women who lost muscle mass. Additional investigation into exercise regimens that can prevent both bone and muscle loss may help prevent long-term consequences of premenopausal breast cancer treatment.

View details for PubMedID 30312118