Older women with breast cancer often struggle with strong chemotherapy side effects, leading doctors to reduce their doses or stop treatment early. This can make the cancer treatment less effective. Researchers are testing whether a program combining home-based strength training, walking, and high-protein nutrition can help older women (65+) handle chemotherapy better and complete their full treatment plans. The study, called THRIVE-65, has women do online exercise sessions twice a week plus extra walking, while eating more protein. If successful, this approach could help thousands of older breast cancer patients get the full benefit of their cancer treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a combination of strength training exercises, aerobic activity, and high-protein eating can help older women with breast cancer complete their full chemotherapy doses without having to reduce them due to side effects.
  • Who participated: Women aged 65 and older who have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and are about to start chemotherapy treatment.
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol describing a planned research trial, not yet completed. The study will measure whether women in the exercise and nutrition program can maintain their full chemotherapy doses compared to women who only receive supportive care information.
  • What it means for you: If results are positive, older women with breast cancer may be able to stay stronger during treatment and complete their full cancer therapy, potentially improving their chances of recovery. However, these are preliminary findings from a study design, not proven results yet.

The Research Details

THRIVE-65 is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers will divide older breast cancer patients into two groups randomly. One group will receive a specialized exercise and nutrition program delivered through telehealth (video calls from home), while the other group will receive standard supportive care materials on a tablet. The exercise program includes two 30-45 minute strength training sessions per week delivered online by trainers, plus about 90 minutes of self-directed walking or aerobic activity weekly. Participants will also work with a nutrition specialist to eat more protein (about 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight daily) to help maintain muscle during treatment. The control group receives educational materials about managing side effects and self-care during cancer treatment.

This research design is important because it allows researchers to directly compare whether the exercise and nutrition program actually helps, rather than just assuming it does. By randomly assigning women to groups, researchers can be more confident that any differences between groups are due to the program itself, not other factors. Using telehealth delivery is practical because it allows older women to exercise safely at home during cancer treatment when they may feel too tired or weak to travel to a gym.

This is a well-designed study protocol published in a peer-reviewed journal, which means other experts have reviewed it. The study includes careful measurements of chemotherapy doses, physical function, muscle mass, and quality of life. The researchers are using a control group, which strengthens the ability to determine if the program actually works. However, this is a study design paper, not yet completed research, so actual results are not yet available.

What the Results Show

This research paper describes the study plan rather than final results. The primary goal is to measure whether women in the exercise and nutrition program can receive their full planned chemotherapy doses without needing reductions due to side effects, compared to women receiving standard care. The study will also track how well women tolerate the treatment, their physical strength and function, muscle mass, and overall quality of life. Researchers will collect information before treatment starts and after it ends to see what changed. The study will use objective measurements like how much weight women can lift and how far they can walk, plus patient surveys about how they feel and function in daily life.

Beyond the main goal, researchers will examine how the program affects muscle mass and body composition, since maintaining muscle is important for older adults. They will also look at nutritional status, physical activity levels, and various quality-of-life measures. The study includes a geriatric assessment, which is a special evaluation designed for older adults that looks at overall health, independence, and ability to function. These secondary measurements will help researchers understand all the ways exercise and nutrition might help older women during cancer treatment.

Previous research suggests that exercise can help cancer patients manage side effects and maintain physical function during treatment. However, most studies have focused on younger patients. This study is important because older women with breast cancer have been understudied, yet they face unique challenges with chemotherapy tolerance. The combination of supervised strength training plus aerobic exercise plus nutrition support is a comprehensive approach that hasn’t been thoroughly tested in this older population through a rigorous clinical trial.

This paper describes a study plan, not completed results, so we don’t yet know if the program works. The study focuses only on women 65 and older with early-stage breast cancer, so results may not apply to younger women or those with advanced cancer. The study uses telehealth delivery, which requires internet access and comfort with technology—not all older adults may have these resources. The control group receives supportive care materials rather than a different exercise program, so we can’t compare different types of exercise approaches. Results won’t be available until the study is completed and analyzed.

The Bottom Line

This is a promising research study in progress. Once results are available, older women with breast cancer should discuss with their oncology team whether participating in a supervised exercise and nutrition program during chemotherapy might help them tolerate treatment better. Currently, the recommendation is to stay informed about this study’s results and discuss exercise safety with your cancer care team. High confidence: Exercise is generally safe and beneficial for cancer patients. Moderate confidence: This specific program will improve chemotherapy tolerance (pending study results).

This research is most relevant to women aged 65 and older who have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and are about to start chemotherapy. It may also interest their family members, oncologists, and other healthcare providers caring for older cancer patients. Younger breast cancer patients and those with advanced cancer should wait for additional research before assuming these results apply to them. Men with breast cancer should also await further research, as this study focuses on women.

The study is currently enrolling participants and will continue throughout their chemotherapy treatment (typically 4-6 months). Results will likely not be available for 2-3 years after the study is completed. Women interested in similar programs don’t need to wait—they can discuss exercise and nutrition support with their cancer care team now, as these are generally recommended as safe and beneficial during treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise sessions completed (target: 2 strength training + 90 minutes aerobic activity) and daily protein intake in grams. Monitor energy levels and ability to complete daily activities on a 1-10 scale.
  • Users can set reminders for twice-weekly strength training sessions and daily walking goals. The app could provide simple home exercises that don’t require equipment and track protein-rich food choices at meals.
  • Weekly logging of exercise completion and protein intake, with monthly check-ins on energy, strength (can you carry groceries or climb stairs easier?), and side effect management. Compare month-to-month changes in how you feel and function.

This article describes a research study in progress and is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Women with breast cancer should discuss any exercise or nutrition changes with their oncology team before starting, as individual circumstances vary. This study has not yet produced final results. Always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise program, especially during cancer treatment. The information presented reflects the study design and does not guarantee specific outcomes.