Development of an Instrument to Measure Adherence to Strength Training in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors

A s treatments improve, a greater number of patients with breast cancer will survive their cancer (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2007). In 1975, the survival rate for breast cancer in women was 75%; in 2007, it was 89% (ACS). Although survival rates continue to increase, breast cancer survivors are at increased risk for osteoporosis and decreased quality of life compared to healthy women (Van Poznak & Sauter, 2005). Osteoporosis and osteopenia affect up to 11% and 67%, respectively, of breast cancer survivors (Gross, Ott, Lindsey, Twiss, & Waltman, 2002). The increased risk for osteoporosis in breast cancer survivors is caused by early ovarian failure or menopause with cancer chemotherapy as well as treatment with glucocorticoids, aromatase inhibitors, and bone-wasting agents such as doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate (Schwartz, Winters-Stone, & Galluci, 2007). In addition, breast cancer survivors are not candidates for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because of concerns about cancer recurrence with administration of estrogen (Baber, Hickey, & Kwik, 2005). Osteoporosis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, with complications including skeletal fractures, impaired daily function, and decreased quality of life (Siris et al., 2001). Studies have documented that exercise and nutritional and pharmaceutical interventions can be effective in preventing and treating osteoporosis in breast cancer survivors (Burnham & Wilcox, 2002; Schwartz et al., 2007). Exercise programming prescribed by healthcare professionals for postmenopausal breast cancer survivors varies with stage of recovery and from individual to individual and may include range of motion activities, balance routines, aerobic exercise, resistance exercises, or any combination of these (Fairey et Development of an Instrument to Measure Adherence to Strength Training in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors