Alis Bonsignore, Susan Marzolini, Paul Oh
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute/University Health Network , M5S 2C9 Toronto, Canada. E-mail: alis.bonsignore@uhn.ca

DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2203

Outcomes to Cardiac Rehabilitation for Women with Breast Cancer and Treatment-related Heart Problems

The influence of cancer treatments on the heart is a major health concern following a breast cancer diagnosis that leads to reduced physical functioning. Cardiac Rehabilitation is known to improve health outcomes for individuals with heart problems and may benefit women with breast cancer and treatment related heart problems. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if an exercise based cardiac rehabilitation program would improve physical functioning (measured as cardiopulmonary fitness) and body composition (body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percent) for women with breast cancer and treatment related heart problems. Outcomes of this investigation demonstrate that cardiopulmonary fitness improved and body fat percent increased following a 6-month exercise based cardiac rehabilitation program. These changes may improve physical functioning for breast cancer survivors, although further research is needed for improving changes in body composition.