Outcomes for breast cancer survivors with metastatic disease in a physical activity program for medically underserved cancer survivors

Abstract Background: Physical activity (PA) improves cancer survivors’ health outcomes including physical functioning, fatigue, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), but the feasibility and effectiveness of PA programs for survivors with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Active Living After Cancer (ALAC) program on breast cancer survivors with metastatic disease. ALAC is an evidence-based community program for underrepresented and medically underserved cancer survivors that aims to improve HRQOL and physical functioning through increasing PA. This presentation will analyze program effects on HRQOL and physical functioning as well as program satisfaction and retention among survivors with MBC compared to those with early stage breast cancer. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from the ALAC program. ALAC is offered in the community in both English and Spanish and consists of 12 group sessions provided weekly. Among ALAC participants, we identified those with MBC (stage IV and with metastasis) and compared them to survivors with early stage breast cancer (stage I and II). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), 30-second sit to stand test, and PROMIS Global Short Form-Physical and Mental Health T-scores were measured at baseline and follow-up. Program satisfaction and retention were assessed at the end of program. Repeated measure mixed models were used to compare changes in outcomes between patients with early stage breast cancer and MBC and Pearson’s chi-squared tests were used to examine differences in program satisfaction and attendance. Results: A total of 248 women (60 yr ±10.4), mostly Hispanic (50.6%) or non-Hispanic Black (19.7%), were included in the analyses (early stage: n=226; MBC: n=22). After the ALAC program, there were significant increases in PA (p<.001) and improvement of physical HRQOL (p=.011) and 30-second sit-to-stand (p<.001), but no significant between-group differences in these outcomes. Although session attendance was similar between groups, women with early stage breast cancer showed significantly higher program satisfaction compared to those with MBC (χ2=4.24, p=.039). Conclusions: The ALAC program effectively increases PA and improves physical HRQOL and physical functioning among breast cancer survivors with both metastatic and early stage disease. More research is needed to identify program changes needed to improve mental HRQOL and program satisfaction among women with MBC. Citation Format: Che Young Lee, Scherezade M. Mama, Yue Liao, Abenaa Brewster, Meagan Whisenant, Kylee Laffoon, Stacy J. Mitchell, Patricia V. Tracy, Giselle M Garza, Karen M. Basen-Engquist. Outcomes for breast cancer survivors with metastatic disease in a physical activity program for medically underserved cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A023.