Exercise has been shown to not only reduce the recurrence risk and risk of death in those with breast cancer, but also to ease treatment side effects, such as fatigue, lymphedema, and pain. 

 

Obesity is associated with both a shorter recurrence time and a higher mortality rate (death rate) in those with breast cancer (both premenopausal and postmenopausal women). The American Cancer Society's Prevention Study II has shown that obese women with breast cancer have a mortality risk more than two times greater than women with breast cancer with a healthy BMI. Keeping a healthy weight is inarguably important for those with breast cancer, and the best way to do that is through a healthy diet and exercise. 

Furthermore, exercise itself has been associated with a lower mortality rate in women with breast cancer.  

All in all, women who exercise regularly have a lower cancer recurrence risk and an overall lower risk of death. 

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Exercise to Ease Treatment Side Effects

Many breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy, have adverse side effects that can effect women's everyday lives. 

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Exercise has been shown to: 

• lessen fatigue

• reduce risk of lymphedema (after lymph node surgery) 

• improve bone health and reduce risk of osteoporosis (from hormone therapies such as taxanes and aromatase inhibitors) 

• strengthen the immune system

• increase appetite (treatments such as immunotherapies and chemotherapies can decrease appetite) 

• improve sleep 

• may reduce risk of cardiovascular complications from chemotherapies/other therapies

• help women maintain a healthy weight (women with a healthy BMI have a lower breast cancer mortality rate)

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*To reap the benefits of exercise, it is recommended that women exercise for 150 minutes a week. (ex: 30 minutes five times a week)* 

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Can all women with breast cancer exercise? 

*Before you begin exercising, it is important to get permission from your doctor, to ensure it is safe*

 

Exercise may be unsafe for certain women: 

-those with anemia (low blood cell count) or extreme fatigue

-those who experience shortness of breath or chest pain should stop exercising immediately and consult their doctor. 

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It is important to consult your doctor about when you can start exercising again after breast cancer surgery or reconstruction 

-many breast cancer patients undergoing treatment may be advised not to swim

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Some women may have restrictions on the type of exercise they can participate in:

-Patients taking chemotherapy most likely have a low white blood cell count and therefore are at high risk of infection (may need to avoid swimming and public gyms) .

-Patients undergoing radiation therapy may have skin reactions that can become irritated in chlorinated water.

-Patients who have recently had breast cancer surgery should not swim until their wounds have healed to avoid infection. 

-some people may need to avoid public gyms because they have a low white blood cell count (and therefore a compromised immune system) from certain breast cancer treatments such as chemo or hormone therapy

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What type of exercise is best? 

Aerobic exercise (cardio), flexibility exercise (yoga, Pilates, etc.), and strength/resistance training can all benefit breast cancer patients. 

It is recommended that those with breast cancer:

-start exercise slowly with gentle movement, and build up to 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise (or 75 minutes of intense exercise) 

-participate in strength training at least twice a week

-stretch at least twice a week 

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Aerobic Exercise 

Aerobic exercise involves engaging in repetitive movements that use large muscle groups and increase your heart rate. It helps improve heart health, stamina, and endurance. Some examples of aerobic activity include walking, running, and cycling. 

Possible Benefits: 

-strengthen bones

-improves endurance

-boosts mood

-improves sleep 

-may reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol

-may reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence 

-reduces stress

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Flexibility Training 

Flexibility training involves stretching your muscles to improve range of motion and to help your body move and bend fluently. Types of flexibility training include yoga, pilates, stretching, and more. 

Possible Benefits: 

-can ease muscle/joint stiffness from surgery, radiation therapy, and/or reconstruction

- can stimulate lymphatic drainage (can help with lymph node surgery recovery and prevent lymphedema) 

-can lessen fatigue

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Resistance/Strength Training 

Resistance Training is training that involves working a muscle or muscle group using resistance bands or weights. Strength training strengthens your muscles and improves your endurance, and can be done at home, at a gym, or outside. 

Possible Benefits 

-can strengthen bones (can help counteract bone weakness from hormone therapies) 

-can help with weight management

-can improve posture

-can strengthen weak muscles (ex: from breast cancer surgery)

-can improves range of motion and mobility

-can improves heart health (may decrease blood pressure + lower bad cholesterol) 

-can improve brain health 

-can reduce anxiety/depression