Exercising more helps to keep breast cancer at bay

Getting enough exercise (150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity) can help cancer victims improve their chances of survival.

16:18 09 June 2014

A study conducted by US researchers suggests that getting enough exercise, which is 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity every day, can help cancer victims increase their chances of surviving the disease. 

 

However, the study – which was participated in by 1,735 women aged 20-74 who had breast cancer between 2008 and 2011 in North Carolina - found that only 35per cent of these women met the physical activity guidelines. 

 

Caroline Dalton, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: "Physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis has been shown to improve a patient's chances of survival and there is also some evidence that it may help to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning. 

 

"Keeping active may also help patients cope, both during and after treatment, by improving general health and wellbeing."

 

She added: "Although this study was conducted in America rather than the UK, the results suggest that women who have received a breast cancer diagnosis need better support to keep active."

 

"There are no specific guidelines in place at the moment to tell us precisely how much physical activity is needed after a breast cancer diagnosis, but Breakthrough Breast Cancer suggests aiming for 3.5 hours per week, after checking with your treatment team to see what is appropriate for you."