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I'm presently compiling a fact sheet on ‘Exercise and breast cancer’ which will be posted soon .. meanwhile, as we all know how incredibly valuable exercise is, here's a bit of info:
There is a great deal of evidence to support exercising regularly is beneficial! For general health, fitness, weight management, circulation, heart health .. yes, we all know - exercise is GOOD FOR YOU!!
But did you know there is now evidence exercise REDUCES THE RISK OF:
# developing breast cancer
# experiencing side-effects of treatments
# recurrence of breast cancer
# reduction in bone strength (particularly if experienced early menopause and/or taking Aromatase Inhibitor-type Hormone Therapy)
# experiencing low mood, anxiety and depression
>> INFORMATION RESOURCES:
The Australian CANCER COUNCIL has produced great information, per links below:
Fact sheet on exercise after breast surgery (QLD Cancer Council):
http://www.cancerqld.org.au/icms_docs/60376_Exercise_after_breast_cancer_surgery.pdf
Booklet on exercise during and after treatments for cancer (WA Cancer Council):
http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/resources/2009-04-15-exercise-for-people-living-with-cancer-booklet.pdf
Booklet on Nutrition & Exercise (Vic Cancer Council):
http://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/brochures/Nutrition-Exercise-09.pdf
>> EXERCISE PROGRAMS:
There are exercise programs Australia-wide specifically for breast cancer recovery. Most of these programs are little to no cost to attend:
WA Cancer Council has FREE ‘Life Now’ programs, including exercise, yoga and meditation: http://www.cancerwa.asn.au/patients/support-and-services/life-now/
**NB: For programs in other states please see your local Cancer Council websites or ph: 13 11 20
YWCA Encore has FREE classes Australia-wide:
http://www.ywcaencore.org.au/about-ywca-encore/find-ywca-encore-programs
In WA, Solaris Care has FREE exercise programs and gym use at the Chemo Club:
http://www.solariscare.org.au/help/chemo_club/
In Perth, Curtin University in Bentley has the ‘Pink Crusaders’:
http://recreation.curtin.edu.au/A2D31342C1F34B7AB43A25A55C40BACD.htm
Notre Dame has a ‘breast cancer recovery’ program for HBF members in Fremantle:
http://www.nd.edu.au/downloads/research/ihrr/breast_cancer_online_version.pdf
NB: If ANY questions regarding what type of exercise is suitable for you and when you may start, please check with your GP, treating team or physiotherapist.
Whoa – too much info on exercise??!! Wait until you see my fact sheet!! xx
This post was edited by Glenys at June 11, 2012 2:36:42 PM WATime"
The Click Breast Care Nurse 
Just wanted to say thanks so much for putting up all these links re exercise. I am really looking forward to doing one of the encore programmes once chemo is over - mainly to get expert advice on the types of upper body resistance exercises I can do to guard against lymphodoema. In the meantime I have been doing loads of intense walking / along the beach when fine/ at the gym when raining. Light weights upper body, regular weights legs, yoga and swimming. I've found the swimming particularly effective for helping the joints after the taxol rounds. Feel soooo much better physically and mentally - I swim the morning after treatment and as much as I can the next few days. There's absolutely no question that exercise has kept me mentally together over the past 6 months ( since diagnosis) and of course physically healthier. Teamed with mediatation and playing music, I think these have kept me from going on anti-depressants or sleeping tablets. I think this is one aspect of my treatment I feel like I have control over. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for putting the links in one easy to access place and also support the fact that exercise can have an impact on how well we feel!
41 yr old/ 2 gorgeous girls, very understanding husband! Diag Jan 12. Gde 3 Tumour, nodes clearance, Triple Neg. Finished chemo. Will be having left mast. in Aug followed by radio.
The Click Breast Care Nurse
