An exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors with bone loss.

Purpose: (a) to determine if 110 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (BCS) with bone loss who participated in 24 months of strength and weight training (ST) exercises had improved muscle strength and balance and had fewer falls compared to BCS who did not exercise; and (b) to describe type and frequency of ST exercises; adverse effects of exercises; and participants' adherence to exercises at home, at fitness centers, and at 36-month follow up.

Design: Findings reported are from a federally funded multicomponent intervention study of 223 postmenopausal BCS with either osteopenia or osteoporosis who were randomly assigned to an exercise (n=110) or comparison (n=113) group.

Methods: Time points for testing outcomes were baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months into intervention.

Vitamin D insufficiency and musculoskeletal symptoms in breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) on aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy often experience musculoskeletal symptoms (joint pain and stiffness, bone and muscle pain, and muscle weakness), and these musculoskeletal symptoms may be related to low serum levels of vitamin D. The primary purpose of this pilot exploratory study was to determine whether serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration were below normal (<30 ng/mL) in 29 BCSs on AI therapy and if musculoskeletal symptoms were related to these low vitamin D levels. The mean (SD) serum 25(OH)D level was 25.

Bone mineral density and bone turnover in postmenopausal women treated for breast cancer.

Chemotherapy and endocrine treatments for breast cancer are believed to increase risk of osteoporosis by causing early menopause in premenopausal women and by further depleting estrogen levels in postmenopausal women. Multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the contributions of 7 predictors (age, body mass index [BMI], family history of osteoporosis, months since menopause, past use of chemotherapy, and current use of tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) in explaining variability in bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip and the spine and bone turnover in 249 postmenopausal women who are breast cancer survivors. This report was an analysis of baseline data from a federally funded (1 R01 NR07743-01A1) intervention study on osteoporosis prevention.

Self-efficacy scale for Pap smear screening participation in sheltered women.

Background: Sheltered, homeless women disproportionately experience cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer. Low rates of Pap smear screening contribute to late diagnosis with accompanying increased morbidity and mortality. Self-efficacy (SE) has been demonstrated to be predictive of several health behaviors, but limited evidence about SE for Pap smear screening exists.

Health behaviors in breast cancer survivors experiencing bone loss.

Purpose: To describe the baseline healthy lifestyle behaviors (dietary, calcium, vitamin D, caffeine and alcohol intake, smoking history, and physical activity) of postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (BCS); and to identify any relationship of healthy lifestyle behaviors with bone mineral density (BMD) at the forearm, total hip and spine, L1-L4.

Data Sources: Self-reported responses to a demographic and health status questionnaire, to a 3-day Diet Record, and to the 7-Day Physical Activity Questionnaire-Adapted provided data for the lifestyle behaviors. Baseline BMD (g/cm(2)) was determined with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Challenges of recruitment of breast cancer survivors to a randomized clinical trial for osteoporosis prevention.

Recruitment of participants was a challenging issue for a statewide, 4-site, randomized, longitudinal trial for osteoporosis prevention. The accrual goal was 273 healthy breast cancer survivors. This federally funded study included a home-based followed by a fitness center-based 24-month intervention with follow-up at 36 months.

Cancer risk-reduction behaviors of breast cancer survivors.

Using secondary data analysis, the aim was to determine if postmenopausal women, who have survived breast cancer, have adopted healthy nutritional and physical activity behaviors recommended in the American Cancer Society guidelines as cancer risk-reduction strategies, and in guidelines for prevention of other chronic diseases or for improving general health. From their personal health history, women who have survived breast cancer would be likely candidates to adopt healthy behaviors recommended as cancer risk-reduction strategies or for prevention of other chronic diseases. A secondary aim was to determine the perceived general health and affective state of these women.

Facilitative strategies, psychological factors, and strength/weight training behaviors in breast cancer survivors who are at risk for osteoporosis.

Introduction/purpose: Many women who have been treated for breast cancer are at increased risk for bone loss. Strength/weight training exercises (SWTE) may be effective in preventing bone loss and subsequent fractures. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine psychological factors (self-efficacy, perceived benefits vs.

Testing an intervention for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: To test a 12-month multicomponent intervention for preventing or treating osteoporosis in 21 postmenopausal women who had completed treatment (except Tamoxifen) for breast cancer, and for whom hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was contraindicated.

Design: Pilot intervention study.

Methods: The intervention consisted of home-based strength and weight training exercises, 5 or 10 mg alendronate per day, 1500 mg calcium per day, 400 IU vitamin D per day, education on osteoporosis, and facilitative strategies to promote adherence to the intervention.

Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors at risk for osteoporosis: physical activity, vigor, and vitality.

Purpose/objectives: To test a multicomponent intervention to prevent and treat osteoporosis in breast cancer survivors.

Design: Descriptive, correlational.

Setting: Midwestern urban and rural sites.

Postmenopausal survivors of breast cancer at risk for osteoporosis: nutritional intake and body size.

Postmenopausal survivors of breast cancer for whom hormone replacement therapy is contraindicated are at risk for development of osteoporosis. The primary purpose of this article is to describe, in a sample of 30 postmenopausal survivors of breast cancer, their calcium and vitamin D intake compared with recommended dietary guidelines for those nutrients for postmenopausal women not taking hormone replacement therapy and the body mass index of these women as nutritional status risk factors for development of osteoporosis. Bone health and presence of osteoporosis were determined by bone mineral density testing of the spine, hip, and forearm.