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Fiona_BCNA's avatar
Fiona_BCNA
Member
8 years ago

Exercise and breast cancer

There’s been quite a bit of discussion online the last few weeks regarding the benefits of exercise and whether what we are reading on Google is to be believed. We therefore thought it might be helpful to make a comment on this.

There is a growing body of evidence around the benefits of exercise for people diagnosed with breast cancer. Regular exercise before, during and after breast cancer has been shown to improve physical and emotional wellbeing and improve quality of life. Exercise can help manage treatment and cancer related side effects such as fatigue, pain, lymphoedema and lowered bone density. It can also improve mood, sleep, body weight, muscle strength, confidence, depression and anxiety. There is very strong evidence that specifically tailored targeted exercise can also reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence). The convincing body of research and evidence on the benefits of exercise for people with breast cancer has led to the development of exercise guidelines for people with cancer by major organisations internationally. These guidelines, which largely mirror guidelines for the general population, can be found in BCNA’s Exercise and breast cancer booklet.

For more information on exercise and breast cancer see:

Exercise and breast cancer booklet

The Beacon Issue 82 ‘Growing evidence shows the power of exercise’

Here are some relevant research articles:

The Impact of Exercise on Cancer Mortality, Recurrence, and Treatment-Related Adverse Effects

Does Strength-Promoting Exercise Confer Unique Health Benefits? A Pooled Analysis of Data on 11 Population Cohorts With All-Cause, Cancer, and Cardiovascular Mortality Endpoints

Physical Activity and Weight Loss Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

exercise

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  • Mira's avatar
    Mira
    Member
    8 years ago
    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.
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    8 years ago
    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.
  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    8 years ago
    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
  • ShellSurfing's avatar
    ShellSurfing
    Member
    8 years ago
    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

  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    8 years ago
    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. :) 
  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago
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  • Cyclo's avatar
    Cyclo
    Member
    8 years ago
    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 !