Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Cognition in Breast Cancer Survivors

Lifestyle Factors, Inflammation, and Cognition in Breast Cancer Survivors

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between nutrition, physical activity and brain function in breast cancer survivors.

The current study will examine the potential relationships between physical activity, dietary intake, body composition and cognition in breast cancer cancer survivors and age-matched women without a previous cancer diagnosis. Additionally, we will measure blood inflammatory markers to explore the relationship between lifestyle factors and inflammation.

The study involves two, 1hr appointments at Texas State University. The first visit will include cognitive testing and body composition assessment. Participants will be given an activity monitor to wear for one week and a packet of questionnaires to complete at home. At the second visit, a fasted blood sample will be collected, and participants will complete a food frequency questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Breast cancer survivors must have completed primary treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both) within past 60 months
• age-matched controls must have no previous cancer diagnosis
• Female
• no history of stroke, heart attack or transient ischemic attack
• not currently pregnant; can speak, read, and write English
• can attend all testing sessions
• not blind or legally blind; nonsmoker
• no current use of computer-based brain training games (e.g. Lumosity ®, BrainHQ ®).

Exclusion Criteria:

• male
• < 30 or > 70 years of age
• breast cancer survivor > 60 months from last treatment or currently undergoing primary treatment
• breast cancer survivor never treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation
• previous cancer diagnosis other than breast cancer