Exercise to improve the Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer is one of the most common that occurs in women. In 2020, it became the most reported type of cancer surpassing the lung cancer marks. Across the globe, one in four women is screened with breast cancer every 14 seconds.

Alarming rates of breast cancer are found in both developed and underdeveloped countries, which comprises 12% of all new cancer cases reported with 14% of mortality. Breast cancer is treated in many cases via radiotherapy as it is an extensive method to shrink the cancerous cells, however this treatment method may have side effects in survivors.

Effect of Exercise on Radiotherapy patients

Research findings from a study conducted by Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) Exercise Medicine Research team has stated, regular exercising after radiotherapy have significantly improved the cancer fatigue in patients. The study included 89 women cancer survivors out of which 43 participated in the 12-week exercise routine of 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise and one to 2 sessions of resistance training per week, where the remaining 46 were kept as a control group.

The patients who exercised had improved stamina and reduced fatigue than those of patients who didn’t have physical activity. The exercise also does not seem to have adverse effects on the patients. This regime might bring overall health benefits, physical and mental well-being to recovering breast cancer patients. 

Breast Cancer Patients – Recommended Exercise Protocol

Recovering breast cancer patients can-do home-based workout which is easier for patients with in-person supervision. A combination of 30 min/day moderate aerobic exercise for 5 days or 20 min / day intense for 3 days along with 8 to 10 strength -training practice of 8 to 12 sets / exercise for 2 to 3 days per week. This is the weekly schedule suggested by the national guideline of Australia, yet it depends on individual fitness levels. 

The constant physical activity even if it is bare minimum by an individual recovering patient positively impacts that overall body health and fatigue. This makes the cancer patients feel energetic and confident to make up to their radiation session and follow up consultation with a positive mental mindset. Quality of living by the survivors steadily increases as they workout to meet the recommended exercise protocol.  

Even after the therapy session and fighting breast cancer this routine will keep the cancer survivors in their top of the game without compromising their everyday duties and life goals.