Forum Discussion
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:
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
Physical Activity and Weight Loss Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
47 Replies
- @tigerbeth Hawthorn. It was really the only one that made geographic sense!
- @kmakm that will be good, I looked at that too but wasn't sure that the locations would suit me .
Which one will you attend ? - Happy to be reading the above :)
- @iserbrown The woman I spoke to asked how I'd heard of it and I told her through a trusted source on the BCNA forum... that's you sista!
- Woo hoo! You will enjoy it! I had my GP fill out the necessary paperwork for approval by Ex-med.
I've had my two assessments and Matt, who is looking after me, was surprised at the weakness I have on my left side, which is one of my goals to improve the strength. It is a tailored program to the individual and the group classes start for me on the 28th May.
I found the questionnaire stirred my emotions as my diagnosis and a few other things I had put away but they were awakened by this. The purpose of this Ex-med Cancer program is to assess the benefits of the exercise on Cancer patients. They are hoping the success will allow the program to be rolled out further afield.
Our group is all female, 8 breast cancer, one lymphoma and one hodgkinsons lymphoma. Last term it was a mixture of male and female and the males with Prostrate Cancer.
My Onc is impressed that I have started it and asked how I heard about it, which is here through BCNA, Fiona - @iserbrown Just wanted to let you know that I looked into the Ex-Med programme, applied and will be starting in September. That will be perfect timing for me and I'm really looking forward to it. Would love to hear from you how you are finding it if you are comfortable with sharing.
- Hi
Thank you but nothing suitable near home - @sister there are Exercise physiologists tbat work online. Mine was through EP group i know she said tbey do as well.
- @Zoffiel I totally agree - it's one more hurdle for rural people. I find it hard enough being about 30km away but tie it in to the school run ( bloody exhausted by the time I get there). Maybe there could be an online programme designed that could be done live so that a physio could still be overseeing what the person is doing? With a kit sent out with heartrate monitors an minor exercise equipment...something for Zonta or the like to get their wonderful organisational skills into?
