Weight Gain and Exercise Affect Breast Cancer Survival!

 Is being obese a contributing factor for smaller survival rates in some women? Studies show women who are obese when diagnosed with breast cancer have a lower survival rate than those who of normal weight. Weight gain is common in women with early stages of breast cancer, especially those who are undergoing chemotherapy for their disease. Statistics show 50 to 96 percent of women having chemotherapy gain weight.

The affect of this weight gain is not yet determined. Two studies show an increased recurrence of tumors in those who gain weight, and two studies show no relationship between weight gain and recurrence of cancer. Weight gain does decrease the quality of life in cancer patients because of the psychological effects it has.

Weight loss in breast cancer patients has a troubling statistic. Women who had a low body weight at the time of their diagnosis had a much poorer survivor rate. A study reports that a weight loss of eleven or more pounds led to a poorer survival rate. That could be because women who have advanced stages of breast cancer often lose a lot of weight.

Exercise may also have an impact on survival rates of breast cancer, although that has not been proven. More studies need to be conducted before scientists can say that exercising after breast cancer diagnosis will increase the survival rate. What exercise will do is help ease the discomfort of side effects of chemo and radiation therapy, helps with self-esteem, and helps with sleep problems. It is noted that those women who exercised during cancer treatment had less nausea and fatigue and were able to sleep better.

Exercise is also important for relieving stress, decreasing anxiety, and improving your mental condition. Exercise, even a walk around the block three times a week will help in all three of those areas. Walking the family dog, starting a yoga routine, and marching in place in front of the TV can also help. Even if you don’t power walk, walking will still be a benefit. Any walking is better than no exercise at all. As with any new exercise program, talk to your doctor before you start.

Drinking alcoholic beverages are a known risk factor for developing breast cancer, but studies show no increased risk when consuming alcoholic beverages. That doesn’t mean you should drink all the alcohol you want. Drinking in moderation or social drinking is what the studies refer.

Lifestyle changes, such as changing your sleep and exercise habits, quitting smoking, and eating from a healthy diet plan will help you feel better both physically and mentally.

Facing breast cancer and the treatment that follows can be a challenging and distressing time in anyone’s life. If improving your diet, quitting smoking, and getting more exercise will help you during this time, it is worth the effort. If those improvements in your life can increase your quality of life and cut down on the side effects of cancer treatment, take the time for yourself and just do it!