New Study Finds Breast Cancer Survivors On Chemotherapy Face Prolonged Health Challenges

Breast cancer treatment can be a challenging journey, and new research suggests that chemotherapy may have lasting effects on physical health. A study published in JAMA Network Open on February 28 found that breast cancer survivors who underwent chemotherapy tend to experience a prolonged physical decline compared to those who received hormone therapy or other treatments.

Chemotherapy’s Impact on Physical Health

Researchers analyzed data from more than 2,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer and compared their health outcomes to over 12,800 women without cancer. The findings revealed that chemotherapy patients reported persistent fatigue and reduced ability to perform daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries for more than two years after their diagnosis.

“If they do not receive chemotherapy, it is unlikely that they will have long-lasting physical health decline,” said lead researcher Clara Bodelon, senior principal scientist of survivorship research at the American Cancer Society.

While this may sound discouraging for those undergoing chemotherapy, it is a crucial step toward understanding the long-term effects of cancer treatments.

Hormone Therapy vs. Chemotherapy

The study also looked at hormone therapy, a common treatment for hormone-positive breast cancer. About 48 per cent of women with breast cancer in the study received hormone-blocking therapy, 11 per cent had chemotherapy, and 25 per cent underwent both.

Researchers found that the physical decline associated with hormone therapy was primarily linked to aromatase inhibitors—medications that lower estrogen levels by stopping an enzyme in fat tissue from converting other hormones into estrogen. However, the decline in physical function lasted beyond two years only in women who had chemotherapy.

“These findings are important because understanding factors related to physical health decline could lead to interventions to improve health outcomes,” Bodelon said. However, she explains that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term consequences of these treatments.

Tips to Reduce Pain and Improve Recovery

If you're a breast cancer survivor experiencing pain or fatigue after chemotherapy, there are steps you can take to improve your physical well-being. Here are some expert-backed strategies:

Breast cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy should be aware of the potential for prolonged physical decline, but there are ways to mitigate its effects.

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