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Breast cancer awareness: How exercise helps in prevention, recovery

 
Dr. Lawrence Hochman says walking 30 minutes a day makes a big difference.
Dr. Lawrence Hochman says walking 30 minutes a day makes a big difference.
Published Oct. 17, 2014

Pink-clad people will be parading on both sides of Tampa Bay on Saturday as the American Cancer Society's first round of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks hits the streets.

Making Strides is an awareness and fundraising event, but the walks also offer a great opportunity to join breast cancer survivors and supporters for exercise, something most experts say is an essential part of treatment and recovery. And it also appears to play an important role in cancer prevention.

A French study published this summer in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention found a link between exercise and decreased risk for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. That adds to the already large body of evidence extolling the benefits of exercise for all manner of health conditions, from warding off heart disease and diabetes to relieving depression, stress and digestive disorders.

Most women know that they're supposed to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, at least four days a week. But if you still haven't been motivated, these new findings could launch you off the couch.

The Tampa Bay Times spoke with New Port Richey radiation oncologist Lawrence Hochman, president of Florida Cancer Affiliates and a volunteer spokesman with the American Cancer Society, to learn more about the role of exercise in breast cancer prevention, treatment and recovery.

Was the news in the French study surprising?

No, but it supports what we have already been recommending about exercise and points out the importance of not stopping exercise as you get older. (The study found that when exercise stopped, so did its protective benefits.) Keeping yourself in good physical shape always makes a difference when it comes to overall good health. In this particular study women who exercised regularly, at least four hours a week, were 10 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Some might say that doesn't sound like a big reduction.

Oh, but it is a lot when you're talking about the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year. In the U.S., 232,000 women found out they had invasive breast cancer last year. Ten percent of them is a lot of women. In the study of 59,000 French women, more than 2,100 were diagnosed with breast cancer. It would have been 200 or 300 more than that without the exercise.

Why does exercise seem to protect against cancer?

We aren't sure why, we just know it does and it does so in just about every type of cancer. There's some thought that exercise boosts the immune system or that people who engage in exercise tend to lead healthier lifestyles in general. All that allows your body to respond to and prevent cellular changes that could lead to cancer. We suspect the body, the immune system, prevents lots of things we don't even know about.

What do you tell women who are in treatment about exercise?

First, that you should check with your doctor, your oncologist, about when you can start or restart physical activity and if there's anything you shouldn't do. Usually walking is recommended right away because increased blood circulation helps improve surgical recovery. Plus exercise just makes you feel better. I also tell them to rest when you need to rest. Be gentle with yourself and work up your strength and endurance. I also suggest that women who are having radiation treatment avoid community swimming pools because they tend to have highly chlorinated water, which can be irritating to the skin. Home pools don't usually have that problem. And, I tell them that exercise helps with the fatigue often caused by radiation.

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Does the same apply to men who are in cancer treatment?

I have the same conversation with men, yes. But it's easier to get women to exercise than men. Women are always more anxious to get back in the game and almost always ask right away how soon they can get back to exercising.

Any final thoughts?

Remember, it doesn't have to be vigorous, dripping-in-sweat exercise. Just walking a half-hour a day makes a big difference. If you have a treadmill or stationary bike, put it right in front of the TV and you'll be surprised how easy it is to get some exercise while you watch your favorite shows.