The Role of Physical Activity on Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Survivors in the Black Women’s Health Study

Purpose: Black breast cancer survivors (BCS) are more likely to experience poor quality of life (QoL) compared to White BCS. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve QoL in cancer survivors. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating associations between PA and multiple QoL domains among Black BCS. This study examined the association between PA duration and intensity level (e.g., ≥ 150 min/week of moderate activity) and multiple QoL domains (e.g., physical health) among BCS in the Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS). Methods: A total of 904 BWHS participants were eligible to participate in this study. The 2019 BWHS follow questionnaire, which assessed multiple QoL domains was used to address the primary aim. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were fit to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations with each exposure variable (PA) and outcome variable (QoL). Multiple imputation was used to address missing data. Results: The average participant age was 66, and the average body mass index was 29 kg/m² at the time of QoL assessment. There were significant and positive associations between PA duration and intensity level and multiple domains of QoL (p < 0.05). Participants who engaged in higher durations of moderate PA (e.g., ≥ 150 minutes/week) had increased odds of optimal social functioning (aOR = 2.67; 95% CI 1.40, 5.08) and functional wellbeing (aOR = 4.10; 95% CI 1.71, 9.83) than those who engaged in lower durations of moderate PA (e.g., < 150 minutes/week). Compared to participants who engaged in lower durations of vigorous PA (e.g., < 60 minutes/week), those who engaged in higher durations of vigorous PA (e.g., ≥ 60 minutes/week) had greater odds of optimal physical health (aOR = 4.27; 95% CI 2.04, 8.90), social functioning (aOR = 4.48; 95% CI 2.27, 8.86), and financial wellbeing (aOR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.03, 2.63). Conclusions: Black BCS who engage in higher durations of moderate and vigorous PA tend to have better QoL. These findings may help to build upon the importance of PA and the relevance of PA in the context of supportive care for racial and ethnic minority BCS. Future longitudinal studies are needed to establish clear temporal associations between PA and QoL in this group.