AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Highlights
- Supervised exercise program improves quality of life for breast cancer patients.
- Up to A$1,998 in healthcare cost savings per person from exercise intervention.
- Multinational study calls for integrated exercise care in cancer treatment practices.
A new study, published in Nature and the Journal of Clinical Oncology, highlights the significant physical, emotional, and economic benefits of a two-hour weekly supervised exercise program for people with incurable breast cancer. The findings promise to revolutionize the approach to care for those with metastatic breast cancer, emphasizing the positive impact on quality of life and healthcare costs.
The PREFERABLE-EFFECT trial involved 357 participants across several countries, including 135 from Australia. This study stands as the most extensive exercise intervention research involving breast cancer patients to date. Participants in the exercise program completed a series of aerobic, resistance, and balance exercises twice a week over a nine-month period. These individuals experienced substantial improvements in fatigue, pain, and emotional distress when compared to those who followed general activity advice.
"These remarkable findings show that a structured exercise program can not only improve quality of life, but also provide substantial economic benefits, reducing the overall cost of care for breast cancer patients," said Dr. Eva Zopf, an exercise physiologist from Melbourne and the lead Australian researcher.
This shift in approach also led to a noticeable decrease in healthcare expenditure. The cost savings per individual were substantial, with participants in the exercise program saving up to A$1,998 compared to those who did not take part in the supervised exercise. These savings stemmed from lower costs in home care, fewer hospital visits, reduced day treatments, and a reduction in productivity losses due to fewer health-related absences.
According to Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), the findings underline the urgent need to address the unmet care needs of people living with metastatic breast cancer. Vicki Durston, BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Support Services, emphasized that beyond general treatment, managing the symptoms of fatigue, pain, and emotional distress through exercises should become an essential aspect of treatment protocols.
This trial, led by renowned organizations in healthcare, reinforces the idea that exercise programs could greatly enhance the lives of those fighting metastatic breast cancer, contributing not only to better outcomes but also reduced overall healthcare costs.
In the coming years, it is hoped that initiatives like this will become commonplace, integrated into clinical care plans, helping those affected by breast cancer live longer, healthier lives while minimizing treatment costs.
