It is a powerful tool to aid women dealing with cancer.
A recent study suggests that exercise can significantly enhance women’s ability to cope with the challenges of advanced breast cancer.
Presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Milan, Italy, researchers revealed that participants experienced reduced pain and fatigue, along with an overall improvement in their quality of life, after engaging in a structured exercise program.
Anouk Hiensch, an assistant professor of epidemiology and health economics at University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands and the lead researcher, emphasized the importance of integrating exercise into the treatment regimen for patients with metastatic breast cancer. She noted that while treatments aimed at prolonging life have become more effective, many patients still report a decline in their quality of life over time. Therefore, supportive care strategies like exercise are essential for enhancing patients’ well-being.
The study involved 357 patients with advanced breast cancer recruited from multiple cancer centers across several countries. Half of the participants underwent a nine-month exercise program in conjunction with their cancer therapy, while the other half received standard cancer care.
The exercise regimen consisted of twice-weekly sessions tailored to each patient’s needs, incorporating resistance, aerobic, and balance exercises. Additionally, all participants were encouraged to engage in daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes.
Notably, the greatest improvements were observed in women under 50 years old and those experiencing significant pain at the beginning of the study. The researchers attribute these positive outcomes, in part, to the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise.
Based on these findings, Hiensch recommended supervised exercise for all patients with metastatic breast cancer, particularly those dealing with pain. She acknowledged that while older patients also benefited from exercise, the program might require adjustments to maximize its effectiveness for this demographic.
Dr. Michail Ignatiadis, chair of the European Breast Cancer Conference and a medical oncologist at the Jules Bordet Institute in Brussels, Belgium, hailed the study’s results as encouraging for patients with advanced breast cancer. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing patients’ quality of life, especially considering that many individuals with metastatic cancer can live for extended periods with appropriate support and care.
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