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.
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.