Nutrition, Exercise, and Breast Cancer Survivorship

Baltimore VA Medical Center

Status

Completed

Conditions

Breast Cancer Survivorship

Sarcopenia

Treatments

Other: Resistance Training

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other U.S. Federal agency

NIH

Identifiers

NCT01151488

P30AG028747 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

HP-00045555

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of resistance training on the reasons (mechanisms) underlying the development of fatigue, muscle weakness and wasting (sarcopenia), and impaired physical functioning (poor balance and walking) associated with breast cancer survivorship.

Full description

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, representing 26% of all female cancers. It is also the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US for women. Side effects of the cancer and treatment therapies may result in inactivity and inadequate intakes of various nutrients, including protein and vitamin D, associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. High concentrations of systemic and local inflammation correlate well with CVD and diabetes risk. There is substantial evidence to support that incorporating physical activity and nutrition into one's lifestyle can reduce inflammation and, ultimately, the progression to CVD and diabetes. Understanding the role of exercise and diet management in the health of breast cancer survivors will allow us to translate these findings into therapy guidelines.

Enrollment

14 patients

Sex

Female

Ages

45 to 80 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Histologic evidence of previous breast cancer
Three months post active cancer therapy (i.e. radiation/chemotherapy)
Non smoker (non smoking for at least 12 months: cigarettes, cigars, pipes)
45-80 years of age
Menopause over one year (absence of menses for 12 months or greater)
Sedentary lifestyle (structured physical activity </= 2x per week)
BMI >/=18 and <50 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

Unstable lymphedema (no intensive therapy, no recorded 10% change in arm volume or circumference, no more than one lymphedema-related infection requiring antibiotics and no change in ADLs due to a lymphedema exacerbation for the past 3 months)
Plans for surgery (e.g., breast reconstruction) during the study period
Evidence of recurrent cancer or metastases
Symptomatic heart disease, CAD, CHF, or uncontrolled hypertension (SBP over 180 mm HG) unless medically stabilized
Abnormal renal function (BUN above 40 mg/dl, Cr above 1.3 mg/dl, CrCl<60mg/dl)
Anemia HCT below 30 mg/dl, platelets below 100,000/cm3
History of seizures or taking anti-seizure or anti convulsion medication
Untreated dyslipidemia with National Cholesterol ATPIII 10 year cardiac risk score greater than 10% (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/atp3upd04.htm)
Allergic to lidocaine
Abnormal liver function
Abnormal response to exercise test (ST segment depression greater than 2mm, chest pain, significant arrhythmias, extreme shortness of breath, cyanosis, exercising BP above 240/120 mm HG, or other contraindications to exercise) confirmed with further diagnostic evaluations.
Type 1 diabetes; insulin treatment for diabetes, poorly controlled diabetes, HgA1c>10%
Taking oral steroids, warfarin, or other medications interfering with fat/muscle metabolism that may not be safely discontinued temporarily for specific procedures (i.e. for 72 hours prior)
MMSE below 24, dementia, or unstable clinical depression by exam
Chronic pulmonary disease (on supplemental O2)
Metal implants or devices (i.e. pacemaker) if undergoing CT scan
Participant is, in the opinion of the investigator, unable to adhere to the study protocol due to medical or orthopedic conditions that limit ability to exercise or travel to the Baltimore VA for protocol procedures
Aerobically trained with VO2max greater than 2 SD above age-adjusted mean
Alcohol consumption greater than 3 oz. liquor, 3x4 oz glass of wine, or 2x12 oz beers per day, by self report