The Impact of Exercise on Recurrence

I lost weight after being diagnosed with BC.  I also started exercising daily.  My oncologist has said several times that those two things are the best thing I could be doing for myself and is better than any thing she could do to prevent recurrence.

i run and walk and bike. i was told to keep doing that. got to stay as strong as possible cause the treatments and progression always set you back. so stay as healthy as possible so the set backs dont throw you back to far. that is what i was told at least.

I was told a brisk 30 minute walk everyday/exercise...would reduce recurrence by 50% by one of my doctors. He did cite it from somewhere and I actually stumbled upon the actual article. It seemed legit. I'll see if I can find it.

When I was dx'd, I was 5'5" and weighed 204 pounds. My oncologist wanted me on Arimidex after surgery. I flatly refused, saying I didn't need it, was post-menopausal, had a hysterectomy, etc. so there was no estrogen in my body.

She kindly pointed out that estrogen is manufactured in body fat - of which I had plenty.

I went on a medically-supervised diet and exercise program and lost 56 pounds and over 63 inches.

The oncologist told me I had reduced my risk of recurrence by 23%.

ETA: I did go on the Arimidex after all....

I was wondering when you all started your exercise routine? I exercised quite a bit when I was on Taxol and Herceptin before surgery but then I was on AC after surgery and barely had energy to do anything. I am now 4 weeks out from my last AC infusion and still feeling run down. I am wondering when I will start to feel better and be able to start exercising daily again. I will be on Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.

I cycled throughout AC chemo, and stepped up the pace during Taxol.  I trained during radiation and did the 200+ mile Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic w/i six weeks of finishing radiation.  I have not looked back.

My take was that I might as well be dragging and exercised as opposed to just dragging.  In fact, I always felt better after a walk.  I remember doing a long walk on Day 2 of AC as I knew I was going to be dragging for the next three days.

Two years later, I am still exercising, and can't wait to get back to skiing.  Was sidelined last year as trashed my ankle with a cycling injury.

In terms of feeling better, I would say that I had energy about 6 weeks post final chemo (while doing radiation), then and energy dip towards the end of radiation (did cycling events anyway) and then much better about 4 weeks post final boost.  A slow increase in energy with a noticable difference about six months post radiation.

It's hard to describe the journey after that.  Certainly, having a trashed ankle set me back last year.  But this year, I am fitter than ever, and expect even more next year.

I cycled 50 miles today, and hardly feel it.  (I did around Mile 40 though as quads were complaining big time.)

Staying fit is the best thing any of us can do.  Not just in terms of cancer, but all the other fun stuff we don't want.  Stuff like a weak heart, lungs, circulatory problems, diabetes, etc.  Plus being able to climb over the fence to the good blackberries.

Not to mention that I had a train driver wave me ahead earlier this year.  I really did!!!

The only disadvantage to exercising I have discovered is that clothes fit better, so more tempting.  I will take that one.

So keep moving......  See ya on the cycling trail, skiing, hiking trail, or swimming beach. - Claire

I completed my radiation treatments last thursday all 33.  So i have had 3 surgeries, 6 rounds of taxotere/carboplatin, 9 herceptin, and 33 radiation treatments. Started on the tamoxifen on Saturday.  I have read about all the side effects.  My joints were still hurting when i started it, so i don't know if tamoxifen is increasing the effect or not.  I wouldn't think i would notice anything after only 2 doses.  Actually, it is primarily my knees that hurt.  By nighttime i can't hardly make it up the stairs to go to bed.  I hope over time this too does get better.  I continue to walk and work full time.  I haven't gotten back into aerobic activity just yet.  Dr. said to ease into that.  I think i will need to put duct tape over my chest to make sure my breasts don't move.  The one is still a bit tender in the deep tissue from radiation.  I also have times when i am short of breath.  I assume that is still residual from chemo.  Chemo really takes a toll on our bodies but we are fortunate that we have it.  I finished chemo july 27th. Any suggestions?