When you are diagnosed with breast cancer or receiving treatment for the disease, the last thing you may feel like doing is exercising. Staying physically active during breast cancer treatment can improve your health in many ways and also provide stress relief. It is important to consult with your treatment team before starting an exercise program to see whether it is safe for you to participate.
Improved Survival Rates
Among women diagnosed with stages I, II or III breast cancer, exercise appears to reduce the risk of mortality from the disease. A study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that the women receiving the most benefit from exercise were those women doing activities equivalent to walking three to five hours a week at an average pace. There was nothing to suggest that more strenuous activity would yield improved results.
Emotional Benefits
A diagnosis of breast cancer is scary; there may be a lot of unknowns, and you may be overwhelmed with information. Dealing with treatment and its side effects can cause a range of emotions, including depression, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. Exercise can reduce some emotional stress and help you feel better. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise releases endorphins, which can help mood; lowers immune system chemicals that can contribute to depression; and increases your body temperature, which can be calming. It also provides you with a chance to interact socially with friends and gain emotional support from others.
Relief of Fatigue
Breast cancer treatments can be emotionally and physically draining and leave you feeling fatigued. Breastcancer.org states that up to 90 percent of people experience fatigue at some point in their cancer treatment. The fatigue associated with cancer and cancer treatment is different than the fatigue from simply not getting enough sleep; rest does not help, and this fatigue can last even after treatment ends, says Breastcancer.org. Exercise can boost energy levels and improve quality of life, according to the National Cancer Institute. You can even start with 15 minutes of easy exercise such as walking, and slowly increase your time so you get around four hours a week of exercise.
Weight Management
Exercise can also keep your weight down, which can prevent recurrence of breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute states that postmenopausal women who are obese may have a greater risk of developing breast cancer. This is because estrogen is produced in fat tissue; in overweight postmenopausal women, the levels of estrogen are 50 to 100 times higher than they are in leaner women, according to the National Cancer Institute. The estrogen may stimulate estrogen-positive tumors to grow, but by maintaining a healthy weight this risk is decreased.
References
- Journal of the American Medical Association: Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Mayo Clinic: Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms
- Breastcancer.org: Managing Fatigue
- National Cancer Institute: Physical Activity and Cancer
- National Cancer Institute: Obesity and Cancer: Questions and Answers
