Impaired Exercise Tolerance
Although it can be very challenging to stay physically active during and after breast cancer treatment, it is a very important part of an interdisciplinary approach to treatment.
One study, conducted at Penn Sate University, found that exercise after chemotherapy for breast cancer may increase the activity of infection-fighting T cells.*
It has also been shown that cardiorespiratory capacity of the cancer patient greatly diminishes with cancer treatment. However, women with breast cancer who perform aerobic exercise during the months of chemotherapy treatment demonstrate improved cardiorespiratory capacity compared with those who do not.**
According to another recent study, women who exercised 3-5 hours a week at a 2-3 mile-per-hour pace have better breast cancer survival rates than those women who exercised less than an hour a week.***
The physical therapists at the Breast Health and Rehabilitation Center are knowledgeable about the benefits of exercise and can teach you how to implement it in a safe manner. They are also familiar with the challenges associated with breast cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue and pain and can develop an individualized exercise program based on your current symptoms and fitness level.
Disclaimer: The Breast Health and Rehabilitation Center seeks to educate the community on musculoskeletal causes of pain and dysfunction as a result of breast cancer. Specific medical advice and/or answers to your personal health questions will require a full examination by one of our physical therapists. This website is not intended to be a substitute for a medical evaluation, but rather as an educational resource.