Study of Exercise to Manage Distress During Breast Screening

Effectiveness of Exercise Training and Self Management in the Attenuation of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Following Breast Biopsy

The breast cancer screening and diagnostic period is associated with heightened symptoms of anxiety and depression. Physical exercise has been found to effectively decrease these symptoms in healthy and diseased populations. This study aims to determine if a pre treatment exercise intervention can minimize symptoms of anxiety and depression in women undergoing screening for breast cancer.

The breast cancer diagnostic process is associated with anxiety and depression. Physical exercise has emerged as an attractive non-pharmacologic approach to mitigating the psychological and physical sequelae of breast cancer and its treatments, however pre treatment interventions are not integrated into current practice. This study aims to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of a pre treatment exercise intervention in attenuating levels of anxiety and depression following breast biopsy and throughout the diagnostic period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• undergoing breast biopsy at St. Joseph's Health Care, London Ontario
• minimum BI-RADS 4a
• physically inactive

Exclusion Criteria:

• meeting Health Canada Guidelines for Physical Activity for past 6 months
• medical contraindications to exercise
• unable to participate in moderate intensity exercise program