Exercise is a critical part of recovery and ongoing health maintenance for breast cancer survivors. It improves your physical fitness and general well-being, and helps fight fatigue. An exercise regime also helps you get back into the rhythm of daily living after surgery and treatment, providing structure and healthy goals. Essential exercises depend on your physical capabilities, and your exercise choices expand as you gain strength and endurance.
Weight Benefits
Exercising to obtain and maintain a healthy weight is beneficial for breast cancer survivors. A study published in the August 2010 issue of the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment identified that obesity, post-diagnosis weight gain or excessive weight loss can lead to early mortality for survivors. The study also noted that additional research is needed to develop effective weight control strategies for breast cancer patients, because some treatment options cause weight gain.
Survival Benefits
Research demonstrates that exercise might increase survival rates for breast cancer survivors. A study published in the May 2005 Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who walked at a moderate pace for three to five hours each week might reduce their risk of death from breast cancer. The study demonstrated that the more exercise performed, the greater the chances of survival for longer periods of time for women included in this study.
Osteoporosis Protection
Weight-bearing exercise plays an important role in helping breast cancer survivors combat osteoporosis. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says that survivors have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that increases the possibility of bone fractures and breaks. This occurs due to chemotherapy, when a woman's ovaries stop or slow the production of estrogen, a hormone that protects the bones. Engaging in weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging or dancing forces bone tissue to become stronger and counters the effects of low estrogen levels.
Post Surgery
Breast cancer patients may undergo several surgeries. Exercise is essential to relieve the soreness and pain from surgery and regain your shoulder's full range of movement. The American Cancer Society advises waiting until the third day post-surgery to begin exercising, and recommends performing gentle, upper-body stretching exercises through the first week after surgery. With your doctor's advice, add light aerobic exercise such as walking and perform light weight lifting to reduce swelling and retain muscle tone.
Ongoing
The website American Fitness Professionals and Associates recommends exercises for women at various stages of recovery and survivors. For example, it advises that women who have TRAM flap reconstruction avoid sit-ups and high-intensity exercise during treatment. Tailor your exercise program to your physical state, beginning with light aerobic exercise for short periods, and slowly adding weight-training and intense cardiovascular exercises as your strength increases.
Warning
Talk with your doctor before beginning or significantly changing your exercise program, particularly as you recover from surgery or undergo chemotherapy or radiation. Your doctor may tell you to wait to begin upper body exercises until your sutures, drains and port-a-caths are removed. Additionally, your immune system may be compromised by chemotherapy and radiation, and your doctor might advise you to stay out of public gyms until your immune system recovers.
References
- Breast Cancer Research and Treatment: Obesity and Weight Change in Relation to Breast Cancer Survival
- The Journal of the American Medical Association: Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Breast Cancer Survivors and Osteoporosis
- The American Cancer Society: Exercises After Breast Surgery
- American Fitness Professionals and Associates: Fitness Tips for Working with Breast Cancer Survivors
