During my first breast cancer diagnosis in 2002 I had two surgeries, eighteen rounds of chemotherapy, and six weeks of daily radiation in a period of nine months. I was treated at MD Anderson, a world class facility known for patient care, and a commitment to cure cancer through their research and work. They provided access to many ancillary programs for breast cancer patients, including but not limited to exercise programs. I was a full hour away from the facility. Once I had my chemotherapy, I headed straight home to rest.
I admit I did not have much motivation to exercise then. My blood counts, both red and white, tanked during my chemo treatments that included Adriamycin, the red devil, for one. I landed in hospital with a neutropenic fever for a few days after round three. There were days when walking from the laundry room to the TV room to fold the laundry left me weak, breathless, and feeling like I was lacking oxygen. This left me with little motivation to exercise.
What We Now Know about Exercising During Breast Cancer
Before I go any further with this blog, I feel it is important to point out that everyone is going to have varying degrees of strength and stamina during or after breast cancer treatment. Some bounce back quicker than others. There are those who simply don’t have the motivation or interest to begin exercising because they may not have been doing it much prior to a breast cancer diagnosis.
This is a recent article with findings that support the benefits of exercise during and after breast cancer treatment. It is a large prospective cohort study and looks at patients who were “self-reported nonexercising adults”. They discuss a term called VILPA, vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity. You can read more about it in the link to the article from JAMA Oncology here.
The findings from the study conclude:
The findings of this large cohort study suggest that 3 to 4 minutes of VILPA per day may be associated with decreased cancer incidence risk; thus, VILPA may be a promising intervention for cancer prevention among individuals unable or unmotivated to exercise in leisure time.
Stamatakis E, Ahmadi MN, Friedenreich CM, et al. Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity and Cancer Incidence Among Nonexercising Adults: The UK Biobank Accelerometry Study. JAMA Oncol. Published online July 27, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.1830
What is your Why for Starting Exercise?
I think it is important to explore the answer to this question. Some self-reflection has the potential to set you up for success and keep expectations in check. I do not feel age should be a factor as much as overall health. Some thoughts to consider for reflection:
- Are you a parent with active, young, children at home who wants to keep up with their activities?
- Have you been a person who consistently went to the gym and enjoyed a particular form of exercise like yoga, cardio equipment, or weight-lifting and free weights?
- Do you have a job you are anxious to return to that requires physical energy and labor?
- Has your body changed a lot during treatment, weigh gain or loss, and you would like to regain for tone and shape?
Start with Exercise Guidance Through Your Cancer Center
I feel it is incumbent upon patients to ask for resources when they are speaking with their oncologist, surgeon, or breast cancer care healthcare team. We all know time is limited in consultations, but a simple ask might lead you to resources you did not know existed. I regret not utilizing the resources available at MD Anderson when I was there for treatment in 2002. I think it would have helped with the dilatory side effects I was experiencing from treatment.
Maple Tree Cancer Alliance is a wonderful organization to name one of many I have come to know about. You can listen to the podcast interview I did with them. I see others in countries other than the U.S. who support those going through breast cancer with outdoor retreats, fishing experiences, hiking, biking, and other activities. There really are many programs to choose from. Begin the conversation at your cancer care center. You never know what it might lead to.
List Your Concerns as Well as Your Goals for Exercise
Metastatic patients have considerations that are different from those who have been diagnosed with early-stage cancer. There are patients affected by bone loss due to treatments. I am and consider my interest in weight training and deadlifting as a prevention against further bone loss and maintaining a healthy BMI. If you are experiencing lymphedema from breast surgery or radiation exercise can be tailored to meet your needs. Macmillan Cancer Support in the U.K. shares the reasons it is important for those with lymphedema to exercise to manage the symptoms of lymphedema.
Our Bodies are Meant to MOVE!
I am very happy to see groups on Facebook who motivate each other to exercise. One of the favorite groups I belong to is Breast Cancer & Fitness Support Group. This private group asks questions, shares insights and resources, but really cheers each member on when they have success big or small in their exercise routines.
You might realize that I enjoy writing about this topic. I will revisit this topic again in the future. In fact, I would be remiss not to mention my excitement with being an invited speaker at the September 2023 London Breast Meeting and will be speaking on this topic. I know I will be gathering more resources there in conversations with the attendees. I look forward to a follow up blog on my experience and what I learn. In the meantime, I know our bodies are meant to move and I will continue to follow the advice of my centurion grandmother who used to say,
I’d rather wear out than rust out.