Exercise for Breast Cancer
Cancer poses many challenges, and ongoing evidence continues to strongly identify the beneficial impact that exercise plays in both the physiological and psychological aspects of cancer recovery, both during and post treatment. Your goals and the therapeutic effects of exercise are always variable given the complexity of breast cancer, and dependent on your diagnosis and treatment path. There are particular benefits of exercise engagement which multitudes of evidence support in regards to treatment tolerance, as well as reducing secondary effects and recurrence. These can include;
Physical/Psychological Benefits
Cancer-Related Fatigue management
Shoulder functioning and mobility
Reduced risk of secondary effects; Lymphoedema, Cardiotoxicity, Peripheral Neuropathy, Axillary Web Syndrome (Cording)
Improved bone health & management of body composition
Reduced severity of Bone, Arthralgia (Joint), Mylagia (muscle), and Post-Surgical Pain
Evidence Based Exercise Guidelines:
Find something you enjoy; individual variability is important
Current exercise status;
Just starting out: slowly spread exercise out across the week – gradually increasing bout durations as you tolerate.
Already active with good symptom control: high intensity exercise is not discouraged, as long as appropriate progression to intensity has occurred, talk to your Exercise Physiologist about this.
Exercise with a friend or family member – sharing your experience of cancer and developing social connections.
Stay motivated through exercise tracking and diaries to support establishing a routine.
Tailor and progress exercise as appropriate – guided by a suitably qualified therapist.
Tips to Consider:
Guided and specific exercise programming adaptations are required based on disease and treatment-related adverse effects, anticipated disease trajectory, and current health status. Some considerations to remember when you are engaging in exercise include:
Exercise tolerance during and directly post treatment can vary dependant on your treatment dosage.
Medication adverse effects – for example, some chemotherapy agents are linked to heightened CIPN (Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy).
Compromised immune function – having a higher risk of infection will require adjusting your exercise environment accordingly.
Elevated fracture risk with hormone therapy, bony metastases, or Osteoporosis.
Complete exercise sessions during times of least fatigue to avoid exacerbation – pacing and monitoring activity regularly.
Further Information/References:
Breast Cancer Network Australia: https://www.bcna.org.au/resources Cancer Australia; https://canceraustralia.gov.au Exercise is medicine http://exerciseismedicine.com.au/resources
Spei ME., et al. (2019). Physical activity in breast cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis on overall and breast cancer survival. Breast; 44:144-152 Schmitz,KH., et al. (2010). American College of Sports Medicine Roundtable on Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 42, 1409-1426. Speck, RM., et al. (2010). An update of controlled physical activity trials in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 4, 87–100. Ballard-Barbash, R., et al. (2012). Physical activity, biomarkers, and disease outcomes in cancer survivors: a systematic review. J Natl Cancer Inst, 104(11): p. 815-40.
