PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL IN MALAYSIA : A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY bellamrcs555@gmail.com

 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL IN MALAYSIA : A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

4

Malaysia

Oral or Poster

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in Malaysia, with notable disparities in survival outcomes across different racial groups. This study aimed to evaluate the association between physical activity and 5-year overall survival among Malaysian breast cancer patients, and to determine whether this relationship is modified by race, clinical and sociodemographic factors.

A prospective cohort design was employed, utilizing data from the Malaysian Breast Cancer Survivorship Cohort collected at University Malaya Medical Centre between 2012 and 2019. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline and at 5 years. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, log-rank tests, and univariable Cox regression were performed.

Physical activity levels declined significantly over 5 years, with only 20% remaining active (vs. 40.7% at baseline). Active patients had better 5-year survival with log-rank p value of 0.034. However, on univariate Cox regression, physical activity was not a statistically significant independent predictor (HR= 0.54, p=0.150), but demonstrated a non-significant protective trend. Ethnic disparities were observed: physical activity’s survival benefit was most pronounced in Chinese (HR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.02–1.91, p= 0.152). Advanced stage (HR=8.48, p < 0.001), no surgery (HR = 38.34,p < 0.001), and metastasis (HR = 0.06, p < 0.001) were associated with survival on univariate analysis.

Socioeconomic and cultural factors specific to this study population may influence adherence to physical activity interventions differently compared to Western cohorts. Culturally adaptive physical activity programs should be integrated into survivorship care to mitigate ethnic disparities and improve outcomes.