Exercise plays role in prevention and survival of breast cancer
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Credit: Special to the Herald Courier
Linda Stollings's column Fit Rx appears each Wednesday in the Flavor section...
Credit: file photo
Breast cancer ribbon
By: | Special to the Herald Courier
Published: October 17, 2012
Updated: October 17, 2012 - 3:40 PM
Published: October 17, 2012
Updated: October 17, 2012 - 3:40 PM
October is here as quickly as it left us last year and isn’t October a beautiful month? The leaves are changing colors and the crispness of the air just begs us to get outside and enjoy ourselves. But October is a beautiful month for another reason; it is breast cancer awareness month.
Breast cancer awareness month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting 2.5 million American women. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women after lung cancer.
So October is an important month to increase awareness and raise funds to support research to minimize the effects of cancer on so many lovely women. The good news is that a new study published in the journal Cancer, found a link between physical activity and reduced breast cancer risk. A separate study published in May 2012 by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that postmenopausal women who lost a moderate amount of weight through exercise and a healthier diet may lower their breast cancer risk because losing fat tissue can reduce the amount of two hormones associated with breast cancer.
Exercise can not only help in the prevention of breast cancer but research demonstrates a strong link between an active lifestyle and a more hopeful future for survivors. Wow that is great news, we know that exercise builds strength and endurance, giving more energy but linking regular physical activity to recurrence prevention and to increase survival rates, that is huge.
This is for all you lovely women out there that have made the journey with breast cancer and would like to do everything in your power to reduce the changes of a reoccurrence. Here are your physical activity guidelines according to the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
» First and foremost check with your physician for any limitations before embarking on any program.
» Engage in aerobic activities at moderate intensity for total of 150 minutes per week or vigorous/strenuous intensity for 75 minutes per week or some combination of the two.
» Strength train the major muscle groups in both the lower and upper body two or three times per week.
» Improve flexibility by stretching major muscle groups when aerobic and strength training activities are performed.
Women who have had surgery should allow time for healing and then evaluate arm/shoulder mobility before performing upper body exercises. Women should not exercise on days of extreme fatigue or pain, if undergoing chemotherapy set short term goals to prevent loss of interest or motivation. Energy may be low due to loss of appetite due to nausea. Above all work closely with your physician.
Ladies do what you can and know that something that used to be so simple may now be monumental. Progress slowly, don’t discount seeking professional help from fitness experts who have worked in this area. Compassionate fitness professionals can be an important part of your healthcare team.
The Leonard Family Comprehensive Breast Center, a new $1.5 million facility is in the works for the Bristol Regional Medical Center to provide centralized, comprehensive, care for breast cancer patients. I would like to personally extend a big thank you to the Leonard family for the generous gift to Bristol Regional Medical Center to help make the breast cancer center possible. The Bristol region is so blessed to have the Leonard Family Foundation invest in our community to transform health care and make an impact on the lives of the people in this area.
Thank you for being the real faces of fitness and embracing life in such a big way. You are examples to us all.
Linda Stollings is a personal fitness trainer in Bristol, Tenn. Email her at lstollings@fitprescriptions.com.
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