The Importance of Physical Activity in Breast Cancer Patients
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 minutes (about 2.5 hours) of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week for adults, which has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression, can improve bone health, and reduce all-cause mortality [1, 2]. Additionally, regular physical activity has also been demonstrated to support breast cancer patients before diagnosis, during treatment and in survivorship.
IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEFORE DIAGNOSIS
Research has shown that women who were physical activity before being diagnosed with breast cancer had decreased mortality from breast cancer and all-causes compared to women who were not physically active before diagnosis [4, 6]. One of these studies also found that women who were sedentary (not physically active) before diagnosis but started exercising after diagnosis had a 45% lower risk of death from breast cancer compared to women who were not physically-active before or after diagnosis [6]. This impact was achieved just by engaging in brisk walking 2-3 hours per week!
EXERCISE DURING CANCER TREATMENT IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE
One study looked at how exercise impacts the health of patients with stage II+ breast cancer. They found that engaging in exercise was safe for these patients, and was associated with improvements in quality of life, fitness level, fatigue, strength, mental health, and weight [3]. Another study conducted on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy found that more intense exercise regimens (50-60 minutes 3 times per week) were slightly better than moderate-intensity exercise regimens (25-30 minutes 3 times per week) in improving pain, hot flashes, and strength, however both regimens were effective in managing side effects from chemotherapy [5].
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AFTER TREATMENT IS STILL BENEFICIAL
Research on breast cancer survivors has also shown benefit. One study found that breast cancer survivors who practiced 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week had a 27% decrease in all-cause mortality (ie. dying from any cause) and a 25% decrease in breast cancer mortality, compared to women who had lower levels of physical activity [2].
MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE
So, what does this mean? It’s never too late to increase your levels of physical activity! No matter where you are on your health journey, physical activity appears to benefit health by reducing risk of dying from cancer and other causes and improving side effects during treatments. As always, talk to your doctor to make sure you are engaging in physical activity that is safe for you!
WHAT CAN I DO TO INCREASE MY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS?
There are a number of ways to increase physical activity and movement in your daily schedule! An easy way to remember the difference between moderate-intensity and vigorous intensity exercising is talking and singing - at a moderate level of intensity, you can talk but would find it difficult to sing; at vigorous-intensity, it would be difficult to talk. Here’s a few ideas:
Take the stairs instead of the elevator
Walk or bicycle to work, or walk the kids to school
Go for walks before or after work, or during the day
Take up a sport or hobby that involves movement, like dancing, tennis, swimming
Raking the leaves, shovelling snow, gardening
Yoga, tai chi and Qigong
Household chores like vacuuming, mopping
Our favourite at Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine: 15 minute at-home dance session - just turn on your favourite song and dance!
References:
[1] https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/physical-activity-recommendations-18-64years.pdf
[2] Beasley, J. M., Kwan, M. L., Chen, W. Y., Weltzien, E. K., Kroenke, C. H., Lu, W., Nechuta, S. J., Cadmus-Bertram, L., Patterson, R. E., Sternfeld, B., Shu, X.-O., Pierce, J. P., & Caan, B. J. (2012). Meeting the physical activity guidelines and survival after breast cancer: Findings from the after breast cancer pooling project. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 131(2), 637–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-011-1770-1
[3] Singh, B., Spence, R. R., Steele, M. L., Sandler, C. X., Peake, J. M., & Hayes, S. C. (2018). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Safety, Feasibility, and Effect of Exercise in Women With Stage II+ Breast Cancer. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 99(12), 2621–2636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.03.026
[4] Lahart, I. M., Metsios, G. S., Nevill, A. M., & Carmichael, A. R. (2015). Physical activity, risk of death and recurrence in breast cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. Acta Oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden), 54(5), 635–654. https://doi.org/10.3109/0284186X.2014.998275
[5] Courneya, K. S., McKenzie, D. C., Mackey, J. R., Gelmon, K., Friedenreich, C. M., Yasui, Y., Reid, R. D., Cook, D., Jespersen, D., Proulx, C., Dolan, L. B., Forbes, C. C., Wooding, E., Trinh, L., & Segal, R. J. (2013). Effects of exercise dose and type during breast cancer chemotherapy: Multicenter randomized trial. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 105(23), 1821–1832. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djt297
[6] Irwin, M. L., Smith, A. W., McTiernan, A., Ballard-Barbash, R., Cronin, K., Gilliland, F. D., Baumgartner, R. N., Baumgartner, K. B., & Bernstein, L. (2008). Influence of pre- and postdiagnosis physical activity on mortality in breast cancer survivors: The health, eating, activity, and lifestyle study. Journal of Clinical Oncology: Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 26(24), 3958–3964. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2007.15.9822