Raloxifene With or Without Exercise Compared With Exercise Alone in Women Who Have Been Previously Treated for Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed breast cancer
No metastatic disease
At least 3 months but no more than 1 year since prior chemotherapy regimen including doxorubicin or methotrexate and catabolic steroids (to prevent nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, or hypersensitivity reactions)
No routine of regular strenuous exercise (more than 90 minutes per day 6 days/week OR 120 minutes per day 4 days/week)

Hormone receptor status:

Estrogen and progesterone receptor negative OR
Estrogen and progesterone receptor positive

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

Any age

Sex:

Female

Menopausal status:

Postmenopausal (at diagnosis OR chemotherapy-induced)
No spontaneous menses for more than 6 months with increased follicle-stimulating hormone and decreased estradiol

Performance status:

Ambulatory

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

Not specified

Hepatic:

Not specified

Renal:

Not specified

Cardiovascular:

No cardiac problems that would preclude exercise
No unstable angina

Pulmonary:

No respiratory problems that would preclude exercise
No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
No oxygen dependence

Other:

No endocrine disease (e.g., parathyroid hormone disorders) that would accelerate bone turnover and loss
No musculoskeletal problems or other disease that would preclude exercise (e.g., movement-limiting arthritis, muscular dystrophy, or chronic fatigue syndrome)
No known cognitive or psychiatric disorders that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

Not specified

Chemotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
Prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy allowed
No concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

See Disease Characteristics
No concurrent tamoxifen

Radiotherapy:

Prior adjuvant radiotherapy after chemotherapy allowed
No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

Not specified

Other:

No concurrent bisphosphonates