ASPO Abstracts
Post-Treatment Patterns of Physical Activity among Black and White Breast Cancer Survivors
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) experience
clear health benefits. Compared to Whites, Black BCS are at higher risk for developing treatment-related co-
morbidities (CVD, diabetes) and declines in general health status post-treatment. Most studies examine mean
levels and do not account for differential group-based trajectories of MVPA following treatment, or include diverse
populations that allow for the examination of differences between Black and White BCS. We examined and
compared women with distinct patterns of MVPA using latent class analyses, and identified characteristics
associated with engaging in low levels of MVPA to identify targets for intervention. Methods: Post-treatment BCS
(N=594), completed 4 surveys over a 36-months. We examined demographics, endocrine therapy-related
symptoms (e.g. hot flashes, bone pain), psychosocial characteristics and MVPA from questions regarding the
frequency and intensity of leisure-time walking, moderate and vigorous activities. A group-based trajectory
analysis classified the trajectories of PA levels over 4 time points (baseline, 12-, 24- and 36-months). We then
assessed whether these groups differed by demographic and or baseline characteristics. Results: BCS were
mostly White (67%) while Black BCS were significantly less likely to be married (72% vs 46%), more likely to be
diagnosed with stage II vs stage I disease, younger and to be overweight/obese (80% vs 55%). BCS were
classified into three distinct groups based on their MVPA patterns: group 1, the largest (50%), had stable patterns
and engaged in 1-2 days of MVPA and 3 days of walking/wk; group 2 (40%), did MVPA for 3 days and walked 5-6
days/wk; group 3, the smallest (10%), increased their MVPA and walking from 3 to 5 days/wk. The proportion of
Black and White BCS in groups 1-3 did not differ significantly (p= 0.065). The least active BCS group were more
likely to be overweight/ obese and to have worse endocrine therapy-related symptoms. Conclusions Black and
White BCS reported similar levels of walking and MVPA but most did not reach recommended levels in the post-
treatment period (~3yrs). BCS aiming to initiate PA should increase walking, while most post-treatment BCS
should increase MVPA.
Keywords: breast cancer; survivorship; physical activity;