A daily walk, a few strokes in the pool, a vigorous game of soccer: studies suggest that the exercises lengthen the lives of women who survive breast cancer, as they lift their mood.
A landmark study involving more than 2,100 women, published earlier this year, found that even a moderate amount of regular exercise such as walking for half an hour every day, may reduce the risk of recurrent breast cancer by a quarter or a half. “The benefit is correlated with the amount of exercise. Therefore, the more exercise, better survival said Perkins. The reasons behind the beneficial effects of physical activity on breast health are still unknown.
One of the biological theories on why exercise might be a good tool to reduce or prevent breast cancer risk is that you can reduce excess weight and excess weight is known to increase circulating estrogen said Perkins. It is thought that high levels of estrogen in the circulation greatly increase the risk of breast cancer and its recurrence in women.
However, there may be other factors involved, since we know that physical activity acts directly and indirectly” in reducing the illness, said Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecologic cancer for the American Cancer Society. He noted that it has been shown that exercise reduces the risk for other cancers, including malignancies of the colon, endometrial, kidney and esophagus.
Women who are receiving some type of chemotherapy should consult their doctor before starting a vigorous exercise regime. “Some chemotherapy drugs affect cardiac function said Perkins. “And some affect bone density, especially in older women, which may already exist density problems.
There may be some limits on excessive or intense movement of the arm between patients who experience treatment related to swollen underarm lymph nodes, a condition called lymphedema. “Because of the risk of lymphedema, we do not recommend that patients undergo a program of lifting heavy weights said Saslow.
Still, for most breast cancer survivors undergoing active treatment phase in their care, “there are limits to the ability to exercise vigorously,” he said. Of course, exercise may be a tonic for mind and body. “It just increases their sense of wellbeing,”said Perkins. “It helps increase their resistance to long term. It’s good on many levels.”
Perkins should know, since she herself is a survivor of breast cancer over time. Believes that regular exercise that helped her stay fit in their fight against the disease. “I’ve always been active physically, and go out every day. I have two dogs Wirehaired fox terriers and they move a lot. That’s one reason to move even when you do not want” he said. “And it makes you feel better.
