Symptoms of Breast Cancer and Exercise - An Overview

Cancer and Exercise. Where to start. Symptoms of Breast Cancer can seem to contradict exercise.

Cancer.org estimated that over half a million people would die of cancer in America in 2008.

That's a half a million too many!

Let's get the nutshell scoop on this devastating disease and discover some valuable tips on designing and implementing exercise programs for those with cancer.

The "C" Word

We don't know where to start or what to say when this word penetrates our world.

The symptoms of breast cancer begin with the uncontrolled cellular proliferation with potential to spread. It starts with a cough, a night sweat, and then delivers it's symptoms by progressing or from the side effects of treatment.

Treatment seems to rarely include exercise in the first stages of discovery. Instead there is a crisis intervention: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy all designed to cure the cancer, control it or bring relief of symptoms.

It is my humble opinion that exercise can help everyone, even those with cancer. However, considering it's complexity, various stages, remission, metastasis and mirage of other factors, exercise needs to be approached hand in hand with an exercise specialists such as a physical therapist or specialized personal trainer.

Hope remains however, as we consider Lance Armstrong and his journey to victory over cancer and in the Tour De France.

Extraordinary.

How will I respond to exercise?

Great question and people often think that cancer and exercise don't mix. There are days and perhaps times when they don't.

The exercise response in cancer patients will be determined by two things:

• The cancer itself
• The chosen anti cancer therapy

With most diseases come limitations, disease or treatment specific. Cancer is no exception.

• Shortness of breath
• Pain
• Tumors affecting motor movement
• Neural Deficits
• Seizures
• Anemia

All disease specific complications demand exercise modification to fit individual needs.

Generally cancer's effect on the exercise is determined by the tissues involved and the extent of the involvement.

This can be:

• Tumors in the body affecting surrounding tissues
• Musculoskeletal system
• Lung invovlement
• Brain and Central Nervous System
• Bone Marrow



Cancer treatment and exercise


Acute and Chronic Treatment Effects

Treatment	Acute Effects	Chronic Effects
Surgery	Pain Fatigue Limited ROM	Pain Loss of flexibility Nerve damage
Radiation	Pain Fatigue Skin irritation Pulmonary Inflammation	Loss of flexibility Cardiac and/or lung scarring Fractures
Chemotherapy	Fatigue Nausea Anemia Nerve damage Muscle pain Weight gain	Cardiomyopathy Lung scarring Nerve damage Fatigue Bone loss Leukemia
Immunotherapy	Weight gain or loss Fatigue Flu-like syndrome Nerve damage	Nerve damage Myopathy

Taken from p. 167 of ACSM's Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities

Observation of this table shows that the effects of cancer treatment can be permanent and a battle to fight above and beyond the cancer itself.


How Will Exercise Effect Cancer?


Exercise for those fighting cancer can be very beneficial for cancer patients providing it is tailored to each one's specific needs.

Objectives will change individually.

Considerations include:

• Current treatment
• Cancer survivors

Objectives include:

• Maintaining strength, endurance and current level of function for active treatment patients
• Returning survivors to prior level of function

If you've been through cancer treatment or been around those with cancer, it can seem impossible that aerobic and resistance exercise is even attainable let alone carry any benefits.

Before you shake you head and walk away, look at all these benefits of exercise!

• Higher quality of life!
• Lower fatigue levels
• Less side effect impact
• Improved body satisfaction
• Improved mood
• Easier to maintain body weight
• Possible bone remodeling
• Less muscle weakness and muscle wasting
• Improved functional ability

Use exercise to combat early symptoms of breast cancer and get ahead of your treatment!

Remember that older breast cancer survivors may have co-morbid conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, to name a few. These conditions may dictate the effect of exercise more so than the actual history or symptoms of breast cancer.

Some cancer treatments may increase the risk for heart disease and death from heart attack. This is important to keep in mind.






Management and Medications

Home from Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Avoiding Cancer

Home