Women who reported the highest levels of physical activity in the year before they were diagnosed with breast cancer may have higher survival, according to a new study. Published in the October 15, 2006 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study found that obese and overweight women who had higher levels of moderate or vigorous recreational physical activity within one year before diagnosis tended to have better five-year survival patterns compared to other groups. Women of ideal body weight did not experience survival benefits from exercise; more distant histories of physical activity also had no impact on survival.

Identifying factors in cancer patients that predict outcomes (i.e., prognosis) is important for physicians planning patient management and for patients understanding of their disease. In breast cancer, clinical indicators, such as tumor size, regional lymph node involvement, and estrogen-receptor status, have been shown to influence outcomes. Other lifestyle factors, such as weight, may also predict disease course. Read More