Physical Activity: One piece of the puzzle
Research has shown that breast cancer survivors who exercise have a 40% decreased chance of a recurrence. It has also shown that it reduces Cancer Related Fatigue. To help YOU be in the group of low recurrence, and lower your fatigue, TurningPoint offers virtual physical activities designed for breast cancer survivors. While these workouts are designed for the specific needs of people with breast cancer, the exercises can help reduce fatigue in people with any type of cancer. Therefore, please share with your connections that may benefit from this. Online Exercises on Facebook and YouTube: Try out a short ‘Exercise Snack’ for you to do throughout the day. Or check out ‘Work It Out Wednesdays’, featuring a new 30 minute workout each week by our therapists Mallory, Allison and Janae. Other Resources in our Community Join My Style Matters sisterhood support group – My Breast Years Ahead, for a 30minVirtual Walk, weekdays at 6pm EST. Click to learn more and join.
Evidence Update: The Effectiveness of Physical Exercise on Bone Density in Osteoporotic Patients
Physical exercise is considered an effective means to help prevent osteoporosis and to increase bone strength in osteoporotic individuals. Breast cancer treatments, medications and surgery have a considerable impact on bone health, and patients may experience a loss of ovarian function, or if premenopausal before cancer treatment, may go through menopause earlier. The research supports that a combined aerobic and resistance training improves bone health in female cancer survivors. The authors in the 2019 article “The Effectiveness of Physical Exercise on Bone Density in Osteoporotic Patients” reported the most appropriate features of an exercise program for increasing bone density in osteoporotic patients. The first type of exercise that is effective for individuals with osteoporosis is weight-bearing aerobic exercises which include walking, stair climbing, and Tai Chi. The second type of exercise is strength and resistance exercises which can be performed with weights/resistive bands or swimming. Multicomponent exercises were also reviewed and deemed appropriate for the patient population. Multicomponent exercises consist of a combination of different methods including aerobics, strengthening, balance, dancing and progressive resistance. For the multicomponent exercise to be effective, the exercise must contain a proportion of strength and resistance training. Determining an appropriate and safe exercise program that helps to build strength, improve balance and posture and maintain bone mass is important to help minimize the risk of falling and fracture. Benedetti MG, Furlini G, Zati A, & Letizia Mauro G. (2018). The Effectiveness of Physical Exercise on Bone Density in Osteoporotic Patients. Biomed Res Int. Daly, RM., Dalla Via, J., Duckham, RL., Fraser, SF., Helge, EW. (2019). Exercise for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: an evidence-based guide to the optimal prescription. Braz J Phys Ther, 2019 Mar – Apr;23(2):170-180. https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/conditions-behaviors/osteoporosis-breast-cancer https://journals.lww.com/cancernursingonline/Citation/2019/03000/Changes_in_Bone_Mineral_Density_in_Women_With.9.aspx
Evidence Update: Benefits of Physical Activity
To be physically active or not to be physically active? For the cancer patient or survivor this can be a recurring question. The American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests that adults receive 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week. But what can the cancer patient or survivor expect from engaging in moderate to vigorous activity? Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund published research on the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors and those currently in treatment. Through their studies they determined that exercising during or after treatment can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and increase bone mineral density. They also determined that those who were currently receiving treatment experienced fewer side effects from treatment, less nausea and improved quality of sleep. Since engaging in physical activity has been shown to boost the immune system, those individuals who are exercising regularly lower their risk of cancer recurrence. The effects of exercise do not stop at physical benefits. According to the same research by Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund those who choose to exercise can also receive mental and emotional benefits. During their research they discovered those who exercise during and after treatment reported improved emotional well-being, increased quality of life, less anxiety and improved memory. You may be asking, what does the research say about survival after diagnosis? In 2005, a study titled Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Diagnosis was published by the American Medical Association. During the study, researchers observed 2987 female breast cancer survivors between the years of 1984 until 2002. From their findings the researchers suggest that physical activity after breast cancer diagnosis may reduce the risk of death from the disease. During their study it was found that the greatest benefit was seen in women who performed 3 to 5 hours of walking per week at an average pace. As you can see the benefits of exercise are endless. If you wish to know more about exercise, specifically Walking, join TurningPoint on June 19th at Abernathy Greenway for a walk and learn style class. Online guidelines. (2012). Nutrition and physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors. CA Cancer J Clin, 62:242-274. Holmes, M. D., Chen, W. Y., Feskanich, D., Kroenke, C., & Colditz, G. (2005). Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. American Medical Association, 2479-2486. Wharton, M. (2015). The Benefits of Exercise After Getting Diagnosed with Cancer. Cancer Prevention and Treatment Fund, 1-4.
