Exercise and breast cancer

Thanks fiona that info  supports my experience so far.  i have continued to exercise and found it’s kept me sane . My exercise levels which were initially low due to treatment increased slowly over the past 14 months . I saw a cardiologist and had a stress echo the other day as I wanted to ramp up what I was doing.  The cardiologist was right up to date on BC And exercise and was really supportive of my efforts to maintain fitness. One of his colleagues is studying this area. Anyway the great news is that the echo revealed I’ve got a young persons heart, I’m 62, the reason being all my years of exercising mostly cycling.  So take that BC ! 

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Exercise is beneficial for anyone, no matter your health, ailment or illness, it's not specific it's general. I too have seen benefits prior to my diagnosis, I did strength training and cardio 3 times a week and walked 45mins 4 days a week. For myself in recovery, and moving forward having worked with an exercise physiologist for over a year. I have done so for my well being and feeling better only. I was fit and healthy, a good diet, slim and a good BMI before my 1st diagnosis and my 2nd diagnosis. :) 

I am addicted to Stand Up Paddle boarding and I will be working with an exercise physiologist to get me back on my board as soon as possible. Whilst exercise does not prevent cancer, I fully believe that exercise increases your mental attitude to everything in your life and will be extremely useful for what will be going through from your diagnosis, surgery and treatment. The catalyst program in May 2016 (link below) is very interesting to watch for the correlation between exercise and health during treatment ( I have done lots of Google/ research on exercising during treatment)

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4459555.htm

At the end of the day, whatever gets you through this time of your life is what you need to do

I agree @melclarity - exercise is beneficial for everyone.  Fiona lists the benefits, and I have enjoyed them all!  Like yourself, I was always active prior to diagnosis (perhaps it would have been worse if I hadn't been!), a healthy weight and a good BMI. Now 6 years post-diagnosis, I still exercise 5-6 days a week, mostly treadmill and hand weights. It keeps my mood up and my confidence strong and I can't imagine how low I would feel without it. :) xx

I’m with Melclarity and Michelle- sure a healthy diet and exercise makes you feel better and prevents lots of health issues but I don’t believe it prevents breast cancer.If only it was that simple.Still,it is being proactive and you feel like  you have some control of your life. I’m just grateful to still be here after 15 yrs and 2 bouts of bc.

I was eating healthy & working out daily prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer.  I truly believe if I hadn't been a healthy weight my lump wouldn't have been found so early (I felt it), and that I coped with treatment a lot better because I was fit and healthy when diagnosed.  My personal view is that waiting until after you have breast cancer (and some other illnesses/diseases) to start a healthy lifestyle is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.

I agree with @TonyaM and is basically what I believe, there is no debate over the benefits of exercise. There are alot of people who did not have lumps however, I was detected early 1st diagnosis due to routine mammos a good 5yrs after starting them. Didn't matter how fit and healthy I was clearly. Think we need to be careful what we say about exercise and in particular prevention....I have known a few very fit people who have passed away due to BC and can be upsetting to so many...to be told if only you exercised ummm they did...I did...before and after. Lets just leave it at exercise is beneficial for so may reasons and leave it there. 

I was the total opposite to @Mira and @Michelle_R and others on this thread. I was not exercising before I was diagnosed, have a sedentary job, am overweight and not a healthy BMI. I am insulin resistant but not diabetic.
I'm now two weeks post my DMX and doing great - will need chemo and radio along the track.
I'd love some advice on how and when to start a new fitness regime? Should I wait until after I've finished treatment? or is it never to early to start? Should I consult a professional exercise physiologist? Not even sure where to start looking? Or just take myself out for some nice long walks? 

@Eastmum It's never too early to start!

Definitely begin with walking. First sure you've got good shoes, proper sneakers. Go to one of those places that film/measure your gait. Athlete's Foot do it. That way you can get the right support. It makes a big difference. There's actually a thread somewhere here about it!

Start small, no bull in a china shop all or nothing stuff! How much time per day can you devote to it? Minimum 30 mins, and build up from there if you can spare the time.

Download an exercise app onto your phone. I use Runkeeper, it tracks your pace and logs each walk so you can see your improvement.

Are you good to exercise alone or better with a friend? Enlist support if it's the latter.

Increasingly exercise intensity is identified as the key. Start slow and steady but as you get fitter, walk faster. Include some slopes in your walks if you live in a hilly area. I do and I know when my fitness is improving when I get to the top of those hills and am panting less!

Variety is key so mix up your routes.

Like most things in life, once the habit is formed, the activity is easier. If your schedule permits, try to exercise at the same time each day. You'll soon find that if you skip a day you'll get antsy.

Exercise has been shown to help reduce side effects of chemo. I walked almost everyday. In the first week it was a short slow stagger, but climbed up for the rest of each cycle. And quite apart from anything else, it's brilliant for your mental health. If you do nothing else on those days, at least you did your walk.

And when you're feeling better about your fitness and your doctors approve, you can ask about doing an oncology exercise programme. Or ask now and do both at the same time. Some of these programmes are water based if that floats your boat (he he, see what I did there?! #sorrynotsorry), while others are gym based. I'm starting mine in June.

I've just lost 20kg, 5kgs before diagnosis and the rest since, through two operations and chemo. I've done it with walking and being sensible with my diet. I did give up alcohol, except for high days and holidays, and I see a dietician who advised a protein rich diet through chemo. You can get a care plan through your GP to help with that.

Carpe diem and all that. Go for a walk today, right now! Best of luck. K xox