Exercise: one of the most effective drugs against breast cancer
By Louise Vini, Oncologist – Radiation Therapist, Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Athens Medical Center.
It is known that the benefits of exercise for our health are multiple. In addition to its significant contribution to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, exercise also reduces the risk of many cancers such as breast, colon, stomach, endometrium, esophagus, kidney and lung.
There is now sufficient and strong evidence that exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer by 15%. The benefit of exercise, apart from prevention, seems to extend during the treatment period (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and after its completion. Women who continue to exercise while undergoing chemotherapy have better function and muscle strength, less nausea, vomiting and fatigue, less pain and a faster return to work.
There is considerable evidence from international studies showing that women with a history of breast cancer who exercise consistently have a 28% lower chance of dying from breast cancer and a 48% lower chance of dying from any other cause. Exercise should be tailored to the women’s abilities, preferences and history with the consent of the treating physicians.
Based on the principles of Hippocratic Medicine, exercise acts like medicine: it is proven to be beneficial, it is pleasant, without side effects and therefore it is mandatory and should be prescribed.
