Exercise is paramount in breast cancer recovery. Stretching, lifting weights and aerobic exercise are basic and effective, while other unconventional opportunities such as dragon boat rowing and fly-fishing camps facilitate fitness and promote friendship with other survivors. Exercise improves strength, cardiovascular fitness, quality of life and fatigue management in breast cancer survivors. For most women, returning to a favorite sport after diagnosis can be a realistic goal.
Stretching
Breast cancer treatment causes shoulder stiffness and tightness throughout the chest wall region. Stretching the arms overhead can restore motion. A stretching program that is initiated gently and progresses slowly should not cause lingering pain. Yoga, tailored to the breast cancer survivor, is increasing in popularity and is typically available at cancer centers.
Weight Lifting
Treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation may lead to weakness around the shoulder region. Light weightlifting activity should start as soon as the physician clears the patient for exercise. Choose activities that are interesting and rewarding. Casting for Recovery is a fly-fishing group dedicated to breast cancer survivors. Because fly fishing is performed with the arm overhead, it is an excellent choice for women with lymphedema, a type of lingering swelling that occurs in the arm on the side of surgery.
Aerobic Exercise
Research published in 2005 proves that breast cancer survivors walking nine hours a week cut their risk of dying from the disease in half. Like a support group on adrenaline, breast cancer dragon boat racing provides both emotional and physical benefits.
Women who exercised regularly prior to diagnosis will find it easier to return to working out, while newcomers need to focus on setting smaller goals such as walking 20 minutes three days a week.
Fatigue
Fatigue is caused by breast cancer treatment and general deconditioning due to being less active while undergoing treatment. Regardless, light exercise will help. Research continues to give deeper insight into how exercise affects breast cancer survivors. A review published in 2006 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that all research in this field yielded positive results, including improvement in fatigue symptoms.
When you are fatigued, the idea of starting an exercise program is daunting. Because of this, setting a modest goal--such as completing five-minute walks two or three times a day--is an appropriate starting point.
Warning
Lymphedema is a concern for anyone who has had lymph nodes removed or treated with radiation. Gentle exercise is considered safe. Anyone with this diagnosis should see a lymphedema-certified physical therapist for management strategies and exercise tips.
All fitness programs should be cleared by the oncology team prior to initiation. If pain becomes problematic, seek medical attention. A physical therapist with experience in breast oncology can help initiate the exercise program safely and address special needs.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Physical activity and survival after breast cancer diagnosis; Holmes MD, Chen WY, Feskanich D, et al.; May 2005
- "Canadian Medical Association Journal"; Effects of exercise on breast cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis; McNeely ML, Campbell, KL, Rowe BH, et al.; July 4, 2006.
