Exercise capacity of a breast cancer survivor: a case study

The processes by which we assess, create an individualized exercise program, and monitor training of a breast cancer survivor who was participating in a fitness plan during and after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments were examined over a 391-d period.

A 57-yr-old female was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer (approximately 1.2 cm diameter, estrogen positive, HER2/neu negative) with no lymph node involvement. After lumpectomy and axillary node dissection, the client completed chemotherapy treatment (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (CMF)) followed by 33 bouts of radiation therapy. Assessment (body composition, VO2max, lactate threshold, pulmonary function testing) was measured 4 d postdiagnosis and 2 months after treatments had ended. The client kept a daily log of exercise, average heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion in each exercise session.

Over 391 calendar days, the client exercised 343 days (88%) and completed 424 exercise sessions. The client's body composition (15.1%) and body weight (41.4 kg) remained stable for the entire period. There was a significant decrease in VO2max (-7.8%) before and after treatment (56.4 to 52.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively). During the treatment phase (6.8 months), the client averaged 1.19 exercise sessions per day, with an average duration of 48.1 +/- 25.2 min at approximately 57% of VO2max (approximately 32 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Posttreatment (approximately 6.2 months), the client averaged 1.32 exercise sessions per day, with an average duration of 69.3 +/- 38.5 min at approximately 59.6% VO2max (approximately 31.2 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Pre- and posttreatment exercise durations were significantly different (P < 0.01).

A cancer survivor who engaged in a medically supervised and proactive fitness plan starting from the day of diagnosis maintained a realistic level of physiologic function during and after cancer treatment.