Just a little physical activity pays big dividends to high risk breast cancer patients

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/s-jal052120.php

News Release 21-May-2020
SWOG


Results of a comprehensive analysis of exercise and its protective role for high-risk breast cancer patients show that women who exercise not only live longer, but also are more likely to remain cancer-free after their treatment. What's more, the study suggests that even a modest amount of exercise can be beneficial.

"Aiming for as little as two and half hours a week of exercise - the minimum under federal guidelines - can have a big impact for women with high-risk breast cancer," said study lead Rikki Cannioto, PhD, EdD. "Our research shows that some physical activity is far better, in terms of cancer survival, than no activity at all and it is just as beneficial as longer workouts."

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Research has long shown a positive correlation between exercise and cancer survival. People who exercise more- before or after cancer treatment - appear to live longer. What makes the SWOG study unique is that it also showed, among the high-risk breast cancer patients it studied, those who exercised had a lower chance of their breast cancer returning after treatment. Another new twist is the time scale of the study. Patients were not only asked about their exercise before and after cancer treatment - but during chemotherapy, too.

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Here's what they found:

Patients who met the minimum federal exercise guidelines, before and after treatment, had a significantly reduced risk of their cancer returning - a 55 percent decrease in risk.

Patients who met the minimum federal exercise guidelines, before and after treatment, had a significantly reduced risk of death - a 68 percent decrease in risk.

Patients who started exercising only after treatment still saw big benefits - a 46 percent decreased chance of recurrence and a 43 percent decreased chance of dying.

A few hours of consistent, weekly exercise result in the same survival benefits as longer periods of weekly activity.


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