The Advantages of Exercise
Many breast cancer survivors take estrogen blockers as part of their treatment. Although estrogen is commonly referred to as a “sex hormone,” it also plays a very important role in our metabolism. Because of this, many women, regardless of whether they have breast cancer, may find it harder to lose weight or keep it off after menopause. When estrogen blockers force younger breast cancer survivors into menopause too early, it can be difficult to control one’s weight because “the cards feel stacked against us.” Additionally, the stress of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can increase levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol in our bodies, making it even more challenging to lose weight.
Even if working out to lose weight seems like a Sisyphean task, keep in mind that working out has many more benefits than just weight loss. In addition to providing an opportunity to connect with other people, exercise can assist in hormone regulation, enhance mood, strength, and cardiovascular health. Join us next Monday, July 19th, for our Movement Monday series with Yoga Nidra if you want to add more movement and activity to your life.
When exercising during treatment, keep these points in mind.
Before beginning an exercise regimen, always consult your doctor, and in particular a lymphedema specialist. They might suggest that you get a compression sleeve to help reduce the swelling in your arm.
It’s possible that your pre-cancerous routine won’t work during treatment. Additionally, your doctor can advise you on which exercises you can perform on your own and which ones may require the assistance of a physical therapist. Learn more.
(Science Daily) A new study has focused on the effects of exercise and physical activity on postmenopausal breast cancer survivors taking Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs), hormone-therapy drugs that stop the production of estrogen. The study confirms that resistance training and aerobic exercise mitigate the side effects of AIs and improve health outcomes. The study concludes that breast cancer survivors’ health outcomes, particularly their body composition, are improved when they combine resistance and aerobic exercise. Learn more.
Group Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors (IDEA Health & Fitness) When you take part in group fitness classes, exercise can also be a way to meet new people and socialize.
A Colorado State University study found that compared to similar exercise programs led by personal trainers, group exercise designed specifically for breast cancer survivors improved quality of life more. In addition, those who took part in the group exercise classes were more likely to maintain their exercise routines.
“While all subjects’ measures of physical fitness improved, group training participants had higher scores on measures of overall physical activity and quality of life.”
