The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney been awarded funding for a new study with the potential to improve the quality of life for many breast cancer sufferers.
The three year study will look into whether exercise can help prevent the loss of bone density in women treated for breast cancer with a hormone treatment called aromatase inhibitors.
Aromatase inhibitors are the first line treatment for the majority of women with breast cancer. They have significantly improved the prognosis for many women with breast cancer. Although clearly beneficial, the treatment does have the side effect of decreasing bone density.
"This loss of the bone increases the risk of osteoporosis and the associated likelihood of bone fractures," explained Associate Professor of Physiotherapy Sharon Kilbreath. "Fractures in older women can have serious consequences and dramatically reduce their quality of life."
The study is the first that Sharon is aware of to investigate whether exercise can reverse this reduction in bone density for postmenopausal women being treated for breast cancer.
"It's an exciting study," said Sharon. "We've brought together a talented multidisciplinary team that includes one of the best bone specialists in Australia, a breast cancer specialist, an expert in body composition and researchers in physiotherapy from within the Faculty, the University and the Sydney Cancer Centre."