Exercise can apparently lessen the rate of cancer cell growth and even help prevent its recurrence.

I didn't have radiation and was diagnosed with AF about two thirds of the way through chemo. Both my cardiologist and my oncologist were of the opinion that A/C may have been a contributing factor. I was certainly advised that herceptin could cause damage to the heart wall (in my case it did not). Four and a bit years on I think the AF was due to a combination of things including age, surgery and chemo. It's hard to advise people about everything that's possible - the written material I got about both chemotherapies was scary enough! - particularly when the chances of something happening may be low. If I had been told beforehand, I am not at all sure what I would have done as I would have imagined I might have to live very quietly. In fact my AF is utterly manageable, I am practically symptom free, take a couple of tablets and live normally. It's all so variable and individual. 

I’m reading here how many people have had damage to their heart through chemo &/or radiation and yet having been diagnosed only earlier this year I was not told of any possible damage to the heart .  I had left breast & node invasion so had the Deep Inspiration Breath Hold teqhnique  radiation  but months after radiation finished and I’ve started in hormone therapy I’m feeling more tired, depressed and anxiety than normal even thought I’m exercising twice or three times a week.  The surgeon and oncologist both said breast cancer figures showed the figures were higher in overweight women and that exercise showed to help in recovery  oncologist suggested Pilates to strengthen bones - presumably from the damage of radiation and/or hormone therapy. 



Ill exercise as as I am now doing Pilates and light cardio twice a week and a walk in the beach 1-2 times snd if up for it I’ll do a bit of stretch and light exercise at home hoping it will pay off in the end. 
Generally, with or without breast cancer it’s always been known it’s best to eat healthily, lead as peaceful life as possible and exercise would make us the healthiest version of ourselves as possible so apart from allowing our bodies to heal and recover from the trauma of bc it has to be helpful to keep doing what we know works for good health, in normal health, only adjust it according to the stage of our ‘hopefully temporary’ disease invasion.
 Individual diagnosis, stage, grade & type of cancer + individual age, mental and physical health, lifestyle, stress & anxiety, + support, medical team + treatment availability + response to treatment, = individual response, 
We are all different, and we are okay, doing what we can to live the best life possible.  ❤️

I would certainly like to see research like that LucyE. Like you my heart has been damaged by ACT chemo and now I'm told the cardiomyopathy is not likely to improve any further and they are just trying to slow its progress. Before treatment I was a fit, healthy busy mum of 4. I worked 4 days a week and had plenty of energy in a very sporty household. Now I've been pushed into early menopause, I feel about 80, struggle to work 3 days a week, don't have much energy and require 12 tablets of one thing or another daily to keep cancer and my heart issues at bay. I think this problem may be under reported as many of the people being treated are in an age bracket where heart problems would be put down to age rather than treatment.  I didn't exercise during treatment but I really wish now I had. I know that there is a developing field called oncocardiology so maybe the research is already underway. Here's hoping anyway.

I have just come back from a walk along the beach, so I like waking and exercise. I have a theory I’d love researchers to look at. I have heart issues after having Adriamycin (in ACT chemo) and left sided radiotherapy (which has now been improved). I’m wondering if working through chemo and exercise has contributed to the effects of Adriamycin on my heart function. I wonder if this is happening and it’s being under reported. Exercise is great. I’d just like to know more about chemo, exercise and heart function, especially in younger women. 

So glad you are doing well now. You have had a hard trot. Yes, what you say sounds more than reasonable. I'm glad my friend can do his 10kms but after pneumonia a fortnight ago, I am still wheezing in morning and at dusk...so am being kind to me!

@viking1 I think what you are doing is absolutely perfect! and I would say in all honesty has been me post treatment too. Do the things that make you feel good, but don't push yourself to the point that you struggle for days after. This is what my Exercise Physiologist says, its about slow and steady especially post diagnosis and treatment. She refused to work with me until I was post treatment because she said I was so ill and my body was in recovery mode. I'm really doing well now but Im 2 years on, and you are so right it doesnt discriminate, fit or not, healthy eater or not so I was fit and a healthy eater and still had a recurrence and they can't explain why. Everything in moderation and I just do what makes me happy :)  xx

I don't know what stats they have on the research at ECU featured on this website in an article some time back..maybe they are good stats and maybe the stories you hear of people fit as a fiddle having a recurrence are word of mouth and not measured research wise? That could be one slant. The other is that cancer doesn't discriminate between fitness fanatics and junk food eaters ... I am starting to think this is maybe true - but basing my thoughts on stories I hear from people. Again, I guess you can only do your best and cross fingers. I am not an exercise person...like to swim in the pool but not an athlete, just enjoy a few laps. I do find if I force myself to get up and do a small walk or a visit to the beach I do feel better. But this is also prescribed for depression, of which I suffer. Meanwhile a friend post bowel cancer is doing 10km walks a day and then goes to the gym! He is old school and has always been fit ... motto is go hard or go home. I know I need more rest at this point and if anything a little wander here and there and maybe go back to regenerative yoga.  The old school approach just doesn't suit me. 

I do find it interesting I guess then, for all of the women that do exercise and did post diagnosis and still had a recurrence?? 

There is actually an article on this website about Edith Cowan Uni in WA and their research into exercise and prevention of recurrence of breast cancer. It is well worth having a read! 

@sandramj the role of exercise was also written in the international study released in May this year. I don’t find exercise easy - I walk an hour a day plus do a stretch and balance class twice a week - but find it helps me work thru joint pain a side effect of Letrozole and hopefully will reduce my cholesterol back to its former level another side effect of Letrozole. I also think it helps me deal with feeling low better.