Physical Activity Levels in Spanish Breast Cancer Survivors. Implementation of the HUNT1-Physical Activity Questionnaire

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the levels of physical activity in Spanish breast cancer survivors through a self-administered questionnaire, and to assess the relationship between personal and clinical variables, training variables and quality of life.

Methods: The present research is non-experimental, descriptive and transversal. From a significant sample (n=386) of breast cancer survivors, the following were recorded by self-administered survey: anthropometric, sociodemographic and clinical data; physical activity levels by means of the HUNT1-Physical Activity Questionnaire; and quality of life, by means of the specific Functional Assessment Cancer Theraphy-Breast (FACT-B).

Results: The most common training pattern was 2-3 times per week (40.9%), at light intensity (41.7%) in 30-60 minutes sessions (51%). The average quality of life score was 93±20 points (scale 0-148). The body mass index was found to influence both the level of physical activity and quality of life (p<0.001). Regarding clinical variables, we found a relationship between chemotherapy administration and training frequency (p<0.05); diagnostic stage with FACT-B total score (p<0.05); and existence of comorbidities on the physical subscale of the quality of life test (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The results indicated that the majority of Spanish breast cancer survivors do not currently meet the recommended levels of physical activity. They also suggest that, although the stage of diagnosis does not seem to be a determining factor in this habit, it does affect their quality of life.