Facilitating Physical Activity Behavior and Health Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy (PROACTIVE)

• Cancer specific health related quality of life [ Time Frame: Baseline, post intervention, 6 months follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Psychosocial health outcomes [ Time Frame: Baseline, post intervention, 6 months follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Objective step counts (pedometer) [ Time Frame: Baseline, post intervention, 6 months follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Chemotherapy completion rate [ Time Frame: Baseline, post intervention, 6 months follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Determinants of physical activity [ Time Frame: Baseline, post intervention, 6 months follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Physical functioning [ Time Frame: Baseline, post intervention, 6 months follow up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Breast cancer and its treatments can take a toll on the physical and psychosocial well-being of cancer survivors. Few interventions can help breast cancer patients improve their physical strength, stamina, and overall well-being. Developing ways to facilitate PA behavior during chemotherapy for breast cancer are necessary. This trial explores ways that breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy can learn about and engage in PA during chemotherapy. This trial will also give Southern Alberta breast cancer survivors an opportunity to participate in evidence-based programs designed to facilitate their health, breast cancer recovery, and disease-free survival.

The investigators primary hypothesis is that women receiving the PA intervention resource kit will report a more positive change in self-reported PA at the end of chemotherapy treatments when compared to the group receiving standard materials.

Primary Objective:

To compare the effects of an evidence-based intervention consisting of targeted breast-cancer specific PA print materials (i.e., Exercise for health), a step pedometer, a step-walking guidebook (i.e., Step into survivorship), and a physical activity and step journal (INT) to a comparison group receiving a generic, two-page public health PA resource (Standard Material: SM).

• Behavioral: Physical Activity Resource Kit

  The Intervention group (INT) will receive a Physical Activity Resource Kit which includes a step pedometer, a breast cancer-specific Physical Activity Guidebook (Exercise for health), a step pedometer resource (Step into survivorship), and a physical activity and step journal to record their daily step totals and daily physical activities.

  Participants will be instructed to wear their pedometer for the entire duration of the study (i.e., chemotherapy duration).

• Behavioral: Standard Materials
  Participants in this usual care group will receive a generic physical activity leaflet from the Canadian Public Health Agency

• Experimental: PA Behavior Intervention
  Physical Activity Resource Kit
  Intervention: Behavioral: Physical Activity Resource Kit
• Active Comparator: Standard Materials
  Receive physical activity handout from the Canadian Public Health Agency
  Intervention: Behavioral: Standard Materials

Inclusion Criteria:

• are diagnosed with stage I -IIIA breast cancer
• are scheduled to receive neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy
• did not receive transabdominal rectus abdominus muscle (TRAM) reconstructive surgery
• are >18 years of age
• receive approval from their treating oncologist to participate
• do not have uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac illness, or psychiatric conditions (i.e., indicated in patient medical charts).

• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• Alberta Health Services