Exercise for Breast Cancer Patients (EXCAP)

Fatigue is a frequently reported side effect of cancer treatment. Fatigue related to cancer
and its treatment is different from fatigue occurring in other situations and its specific
causes have not been identified. Exercise may or may not improve this type of fatigue. The
purpose of this study is to examine how cancer treatments impact normal lifestyle physical
activity patterns and participation in physical activity, as well as the ability of a walking
and progressive resistance exercise program to reduce cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer
patients. This study also examines if the walking and progressive resistance exercise program
improves other factors such as quality of life, depression, anxiety, ability to sleep, self
esteem, cardiovascular fitness, energy expenditure, muscular strength, muscle mass, and
immune function (as measured by inflammatory cytokines).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Have a primary diagnosis of breast cancer,

- Have a functional capacity rating of 60 or greater on the Karnofsky Performance Scale,
when assessed by the oncologist (or physician's designee)

- Be breast cancer survivor(e.g., surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone
therapy). Have a life expectancy of >1 year as determined by the patient's oncologist.

- Have the approval of their treating physician, study physician(or physician's
designee) to participate in sub-maximal physiological fitness testing and a low to
moderate home-based walking and progressive resistance exercise program.

- Be able to read English.

- Be 21 years of age or older.

- Give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Have bone metastases that preclude participation in an exercise program either due to
symptoms such as pain or location of bone metastasis.

- Have physical limitations (i.e. cardiorespiratory, orthopedic, central nervous system)
that contraindicate participation in sub-maximal physiological fitness testing, or a
low to moderate home-based walking and progressive resistance program, as assessed by
the PAR-Q and radiation oncologist (or physician's designee)

- Be identified as in the Active or Maintenance Stage of exercise behavior as assessed
by the 1-item Exercise Stages of Change Short Form.