Yahoo Lifestyle Exercise Linked to Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence
In the past, doctors used to restrict exercise during and after breast cancer treatment. But today, the reasons to lace up your sneakers are indisputable: workouts can halve breast cancer recurrence risk, according to a study by Harvard University. And women who exercise are 50 per cent more likely to survive breast cancer than those who don’t.
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What makes exercise such a powerful weapon against breast cancer? “To get the disease, you need a mutated cell and a local environment that’s encouraging the cells to grow,” says Dr Susan Love, a world authority on breast cancer.
Exercise decreases levels of inflammation, reduces stress and helps you maintain a healthy weight, so it changes your body chemistry, creating a less hospitable environment for the cancer to grow.
Being active can also help reduce your risk of getting breast cancer in the first place by about 23 per cent, report Harvard researchers.
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WORKOUTS HELP RECOVERY
A fitness regimen can reduce your risk of getting breast cancer, but if you do develop the disease, different types of exercise can also improve your recovery. Here’s how to integrate fitness into your treatment plan every step of the way:
During treatment: stay energised
Breaking into a sweat boosts energy, emotional resilience and physical strength, all of which are important during breast cancer treatment. One German study found that a group of cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy who exercised daily for 30 minutes felt significantly less fatigue than those who didn’t work out.
They also experienced less fear and anxiety. And a study from Denmark found that a combination of cardio and strength training boosted energy
in chemo patients. Any type of exercise can help. Just listen to your body and go at your own pace.
Straight after treatment: stay flexible
The removal of lymph nodes during a lumpectomy or mastectomy is usually the source of most post-operation pain, rather than the removal of breast tissue. You may be tempted to take a break until your underarm tenderness eases, but it’s best that you don’t: stiffness and a loss of range of motion can result if you don’t commit to a stretching routine soon after surgery. Incorporate gentle arm and chest stretches into your cool-down.
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Months after treatment: stay strong
Progressive weight training for the arms, chest and back will help rebuild strength and ease the symptoms of lymphoedema—a painful swelling in the arm that can occur after lymph node removal—by up to 70 per cent. Perform arm-strengthening moves with 1kg hand weights. And, if you do have lymphoedema, wear a compression arm sleeve. In addition to boosting your physical health, even more importantly, exercise is one of the best ways to clear your mind and stay positive.
