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Exercise
Physical activity may be the most important lifestyle factor for reducing  breast cancer
risk and recurrence.  Not only does it make breast cancer less likely to develop, it
helps prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis.  And it has the
added bonus of helping with weight control, relieving stress, building strength, and
increasing energy level.

The amount of physical activity called for to lower breast cancer risk and recurrence
varies, but the basic recommendation is for moderate to vigorous physical activity  
for around 45 minutes a day, five days a week.  It can be spread out over seven days
with 30 minutes each day, and it can be done in ten-minute intervals over the course
of a day.  More time and greater intensity bring increasing benefits, but even a little
physical activity will help make you healthier.

Physical activity discourages cancer growth by boosting the immune system, reducing
inflammation, and helping maintain a healthy weight.  Regular exercise helps keep off
the fatty tissue that piles on when we gain weight.  Fat, especially around our
middle, produces estrogen and other substances that promote cancer growth.  

Physical activity may work in conjunction with other behaviors to lower risk and
recurrence.  In a recent study, women with one type of breast cancer (hormone  
receptor positive) cut their fatality rate in half by doing both moderate exercise thirty
minutes a day, six days per week and eating five or more fruits and vegetables each
day.

Doing any type of exercise during and after treatment for breast cancer may be
difficult, but even a little mild physical activity is helpful.  It reduces fatigue, anxiety,
and depression.  It helps prevent the weight gain that is an unfortunate side effect of
many cancer treatments.  These added pounds not only increase the risk for
recurrence, they make breast cancer survivors more likely to develop other serious
conditions like heart disease and diabetes.  

All types of exercise are beneficial, and the more you do, the greater the benefit.  
Aerobic exercise burns fat, resistance and weight training build muscle and bone, and
stretching adds flexibility.  Put variety into your exercise program and enjoy it often.

Of course, you may not think of exercise as something to be enjoyed.  If you've been
sedentary, you may be surprised at how much better you'll feel once you get into the
habit of exercising.  It is never too late to start.  Even the aged and infirm can
improve their physical condition with a little exercise.  Start slowly and find activities
you can enjoy.  

And these activities don't need to be what we traditionally think of as exercise.  Any
physical activity that is part of your daily routine counts as exercise -- walking the
dog, going up stairs, and cleaning the toilets.  Move more, move a little faster, and
bend a little further.  It doesn't require much time or effort.


HOW TO GET MORE ACTIVE
   

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For more information:

Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment:  An American Cancer Society
Guide for Informed Choices
C Doyle, LH Kushi, T Byers, KS Courneya, W. Demark-Wahnefried, B Grant, A McTiernan, CL Rock,
C Thompson, T Gansler, DS Andrews
CA: A Cancer journal for Clinicians; November/December 2006

Greater Survival After Breast Cancer in Physically Active Women With High Vegetable-Fruit
Intake Regardless of Obesity
JP Pierce, ML Stefanick, SW Flatt, L Natarajan, B Sternfeld, L Madlensky, WK Al-Delaimy, CA
Thomson, S Kealey, R Hajek, BA Parker, VA Newman, B Caan, CL Rock
Journal of Clinical Oncology  June 10, 2007

American Cancer Society  www.cancer.org

Center for Disease Control and Prevention  "Physical Activity for Everyone"