Seeking quality of life for cancer sufferers

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."

The study will involve 60 postmenopausal woman volunteers who have received aromatase inhibitor treatment and are not currently involved in intensive exercise. The group will be split in two. The first group will take part in an intensive exercise program; the second will go about their lives as normal.

The women in the exercise program will receive a free gym membership and customised program from a personal trainer involving a mix of resistance training and impact training such as skipping and jumping. Weekly follow-up calls will help maintain motivation. The success of the program will be measured by comparing the changes in bone density and bone quality of those taking part in exercise with those not taking part.

"Basically, it would be a great result if we find out that exercise can reverse the reduction of bone strength and by doing so improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors," said Sharon. "We also hope to keep more women on their breast cancer treatment by limiting the side effects that may cause some to otherwise stop their treatment."