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Exercise and Breast Cancer
Exercise and Breast Cancer
Exercise can ease treatment-related side effects and reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence, as well as the risk of developing breast cancer in the first place. Regular exercise is an important part of being as healthy as you can be. Being physically active can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. If you’ve also been diagnosed with breast cancer, exercise can reduce the risk of the cancer coming back (recurrence). Exercise also can help ease troubling treatment side effects, such as fatigue, pain, depression, and lymphedema.
Experts say that exercise is safe during and after all breast cancer treatments, as long as you take any needed precautions and keep the intensity low. The American Cancer Society supports the American College of Sports Medicine’s general physical activity recommendations for people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer:
Avoid inactivity and return to normal daily activities as soon as possible after diagnosis and treatment.
Take part in regular physical activity.
Start slowly and build up the amount of physical activity over time.
Build up to at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week.
Exercise several times a week for at least 10 minutes at a time.
Include resistance training exercise at least two days a week.
Do stretching exercises at least two days each week.
Exercise can help lower your risk of developing breast cancer. We know that women who exercise have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than women who don’t exercise. Many doctors believe being active helps regulate insulin and estrogen, the hormones that can cause breast cancer to grow. Maintaining a healthy weight with regular exercise can also help regulate hormones, reduce inflammation, and keep the immune system healthy.
Exercise can help lower your risk of recurrence if you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer. A number of studies have shown that women who exercise regularly have a lower risk of recurrence and were also less likely to die from breast cancer.
Exercise may help you have fewer and less severe side effects from treatment. Research shows that exercise can help:
- Ease fatigue
- Lessen anxiety
- Improve quality of life
- Reduce the risk of lymphedema
- Improve physical function
- Strengthen bones
- Improve sleep
- Ease bone and joint pain
Your ability to exercise during and after treatment depends on what your overall health and physical condition was before your diagnosis. Either way, it’s important you have your doctor’s OK before you start exercising again.
To access the full article on exercise and breast cancer and get tips, click here.
In partnership with the YMCA, Hally Health focuses on a variety of topics aimed at people of any age or fitness level who want to stay healthy and active. Try this October Pilates Workout that’s sure to get your heart pumping. To view all our YMCA partnership fitness videos throughout the month, please visit hally.com or Facebook.com/HealthAlliance.