4 Ways Exercise Supports the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Exercise some breast cancer awareness!
Did you know the benefits of exercise apply to women battling breast cancer? The positive impact that getting active has on human health doesn’t stop during breast cancer treatment. Though you may not feel up to exercising, research continues to show it’s extensive benefits and how they increase as we age.
1. Studies show more successful outcomes
Breast cancer survivors who engage in regular physical activity are less likely to experience a recurrence of breast cancer. That’s a fact! Exercise has also been proven to reduce breast cancer mortality rates.
2. May help manage other side effects
Though breast cancer treatment is known to be quite taxing on patients, exercise may help alleviate common side effects. Regular physical activity is linked to enhanced quality of life and reduced feelings of anxiety. However, in breast cancer patients specifically, exercise has also been proven to decrease fatigue while promoting your tolerance for treatment.
3. Decreases known risk factors
Regular exercise decreases the risk that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Women who are not physically active, or those who are obese or overweight are known to be at higher risk than active women who are at a healthy weight.
4. There’s a mental health component
It’s not uncommon for people with cancer to suffer with depression. 1 in 4 cancer patients will have depression while treating their cancer. The good news, is that depression is manageable and one way is through aerobic, or cardio, exercise.
Whether it’s walking, running, swimming, or pickleball, exercise that gets your heart rate up was shown to help reduce depressive symptoms in cancer patients in as little as a month. But there were long-term benefits as well for those who continued to exercise, with patients continually seeing decreases in their depression 6-12 months later.
Discuss Fitness Routines with Your Doctor
“Exercise can have immediate and long-term health benefits, and most importantly, improve your quality of life. That doesn’t stop when you have breast cancer. Exercise can help make chemo regimens more tolerable and reduce the risk of recurrence. It’s important to remember that everyone is different and not all respond to treatments the same. One person may tolerate their treatment while the other may feel extremely tired and unwell. I recommend starting out with easy, low-impact exercises like walking or yoga. It’s best to talk with your care team about finding activities that are suitable for your fitness and strength levels during breast cancer treatment.
It’s important to remember that any amount of exercise is beneficial to our health. Exercise has shown it can be helpful when dealing with cancer, but it also lowers your chance of developing other serious chronic conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and can reduce your risk of several types of cancer, including breast.
If you’re a breast cancer survivor or currently undergoing cancer treatment, make sure to discuss starting a new workout routine with your doctor. Your care team can help you determine the best exercises to support your overall wellness.
Schedule a Visit with Dr. Ball
Dr. Jodi Ball is a board-certified doctor who specializes in obstetrics, gynecology, and gynecological surgery. Dr. Ball sees patients at Trinity Medical locations in Buffalo and Williamsville. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ball, call (716) 846-1190 or (716) 559-3803.
