OBJECTIVETo investigate the associations between physical exercise and quality of life in breast cancer patients.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted among 3 344 community breast cancer patients between April and July 2013 in Shanghai, China. Data were collected using a questionnaire, including socio-demographic situation, cancer survival and health behaviors, and scores of EORTC QLQ-C30 Simplified Chinese version and FACT-G Simplified Chinese version.

RESULTSAmong a total of 3 344 breast cancer patients, the patients doing exercise reported significantly higher EORTC physical functioning scores, role functioning scores, emotional functioning scores, global health scores, and FACT-G physical well-being scores, social well-being scores, emotional well-being scores, functional well-being scores, and FACT-G total scores than the patients who didn't take exercise (P < 0.05, P(Adjusted)<0.05) . Breast cancer patients who did exercise more than or equal to 5 times/week reported significantly higher EORTC role functioning scores, cognitive functioning scores, emotional functioning scores, global health scores and FACT-G physical well-being scores, functional well-being scores, and FACT-G total scores than patients who did exercise less than 5 times/week (P < 0.05, P(Adjusted)<0.05 ).

CONCLUSIONSThere are active associations between physical exercise and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Engagement in physical exercise is beneficial to breast cancer patients with long-term survival.