Early Stage Breast Carcinoma

This prospective study is designed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of risk-stratified hypofractionated radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery in patients with early breast cancer.

This clinical trial studies whether breathing exercises for the muscles that help with breathing air in, inspiratory muscle training (IMT), works to improve breathing muscle strength, shortness of breath, and physical activity levels in women who are receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer (BC). Cancer and/or treatments for BC can directly result in muscle wasting that involves breathing muscles, skeletal muscles or heart muscles. Pain, weakness, shortness of breath, and side effects of cancer treatment may lead to lower physical activity levels. IMT involves breathing exercises using a small hand-held device. The device makes it a little harder to breathe in, which may help strengthen breathing muscles. IMT may be an effective way to improve breathing muscle strength, shortness of breath, and physical activity levels in women who are receiving chemotherapy for early-stage BC.

This pilot study seeks to understand how changes in the bacteria composition (microbiome) of the gut may be associated with the occurrence of fatigue and chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) in women undergoing chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer. Patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience fatigue or nausea as a result of their treatment. Known risk factors for fatigue and CIN do not explain the differences in fatigue and CIN occurrence between patients, but changes in the functions of the gut microbiome may be related to the occurrence of fatigue and CIN. This study collects stool samples from breast cancer patients before and after chemotherapy to evaluate how changes in the microbiome may be associated with fatigue and CIN.

This phase II trial tests how well fisetin and exercise works in preventing frailty in breast cancer survivors. Fisetin is a natural substance found in strawberries and other foods and is available as a nutritional supplement. Nutritional supplements may be useful in eliminating cells that have undergone a process called senescence. Senescence is when a cell ages and permanently stops dividing but does not die. Over time, large numbers of these cells build up in tissues throughout the body and can release harmful substances that cause inflammation and damage nearby healthy cells. Giving fisetin may eliminate senescent cells in patients with breast cancer undergoing physical activity.