Exercise appears to benefit a wide range of physical and mental conditions. When it comes to breast cancer, regular physical activity has been linked to reducing the risk of both development and recurrence of this disease and it likely works through several different mechanisms. While no sure fire protocol exists for preventing cancer, exercising more or partaking in any other measure linked to reduced cancer risk can help stack the odds in your favor and they will certainly not hurt.
Weight Gain and Cancer Recurrence
A study published in the January 2005 issue of "Journal of Clinical Oncology" found women that gained weight after a breast cancer diagnosis were more likely to experience a recurrence of the disease. Women that gained an average of 17 lbs. were 1.5 times more likely to see their breast cancer come back. It appears the greater the weight gain, the greater the likelihood of recurrence. Exercise forms a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy weight.
Dangers of High Insulin Levels
According to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, studies have linked high insulin levels with a higher likelihood of breast cancer recurrence. Researchers there wanted to examine the effects of exercise on insulin levels and divided 101 breast cancer survivors into two groups: one doing a mix of cardiovascular and strength-training exercise and the other serving as a control. The group participating in exercise lowered their insulin to statistically significant levels as well as their blood sugar levels. This study indicates that exercise could serve as a valuable tool for reducing one of the risk factors strongly linked to breast cancer recurrence.
Walking to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
A study published in a 2009 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" followed 3,000 women for up to 14 years after their breast cancer diagnosis and found those that exercised at least three to five hours a week cut their recurrence risk by up to 40 percent. Harvard surgeon and study author Dr. Carolyn Kaelin stresses that you do not need to take part in high-intensity activity to reap these benefits. While walking often gets a bad rap as a viable form of exercise, it can get the job done as far as improving overall health and reducing your risk for serious health problems. Kaelin says walking at a pace of 3 miles per hour for the recommended weekly exercise time will suffice as far as reducing your risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Working With Your Doctor
If you have breast cancer and suffer from other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, get an OK from your doctor before you start a new exercise program. He can offer suggestions on appropriate exercises as well as offer guidance on possible adjustments to medications.
