Research Proves that Exercise After Breast Cancer Surgery Improves Your Recovery
Exercise is emerging as an important complementary treatment for breast cancer patients and survivors. With exercise, Dr. Adam Brufsky states, “You can get back to being you!”
How do we know that exercise is beneficial to breast cancer survivors? There is mounting medical research that regular exercise during and after breast cancer treatment improves a woman’s health and well being.
Below is a short summary of just a few of the findings printed in medical journals regarding the many ways in which regular stretching, aerobic and weight training exercises help breast cancer survivors feel better about their bodies and reduce their risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Proven Benefits of Aerobic Exercise After Breast Cancer Surgery
- Four observational studies have now reported decreased total mortality among physically active women with breast cancer. Changes in the estrogen and insulin pathways are potential mechanisms by which physical activity could affect survival. (Breast Cancer Research, 2009)
- A study of nearly 3,000 women with Stage I to Stage III breast cancer reported that regular physical activity after diagnosis reduced the risk of recurrence of breast cancer. Women who walked a modest pace 1-3 hours per week reduced their risk by 20%; 3-5 hours per week by 50%. (Journal of American Medical Association, 2005)
- A study of body esteem and mood among breast cancer patients found women who were physically active were more likely to report they felt sexually attractive. Women who exercised also reported less depression, confusion and fatigue. (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2004)
Proven Benefits of Resistance Exercise or Weight Training After Breast Cancer Surgery
- In breast cancer survivors with lymphedema, slowly progressive weight lifting had no significant effect on limb swelling and resulted in a decreased incidence of exacerbations with lymphedema, reduced symptoms and increased strength. (New England Journal of Medicine, 2009)
- Data from a study of women treated for Stage I – Stage III breast cancer suggests that weight bearing aerobic exercise can decrease bone loss, which can occur with breast cancer treatment. Aerobic and resistance exercise will improve cardiopulmonary capacity and muscle strength when most women generally feel less able to perform their daily activities. (Oncology Nursing Forum, 2007)
- In a Canadian study, breast cancer patients who were involved in regular aerobic and resistance exercise reported improved self-esteem, physical fitness and less weight gain during chemotherapy. Weight training did not cause lymphedema. (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2006)
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