Thank you, Scrunch. I have heard theories that exercise helps people with MBC do better, but it has all been theoretical. It will be interesting to see the results of the trial. Do you know how long the trial will last? I assume that the final results will not be in until years from now since they will most likely follow participants for a long time.

Lynne

I love the doctor's prescription! Mixing intensity and duration sounds like a very good principle to follow. For one our bodies adapt to any exercise regime after which you are no longer getting the same benefits. Some deconditioning has to be built in with a minimum level of movement. Then reconditioning at a higher level. Just my 2 cents.

Scrunch - great post, very exiting area of research in my opinion. I truly believe exercise is the one scientifically proven thing, within our control, we can do to help improve quality of life and overall survival.

I'm in the study with Dr. Jones at MSKCC. He is very impressive. Before, BC I worked out all the time and was VERY fit. Since my first surgery I have not had the energy/desire to work out, but I walk a lot when able to (depends upon my HFS) So, when my MO talked to me about the study, I jumped at the chance to join. There are 2 control groups. One that does 5 minutes of cardio followed by stretching-that's the one I was put into (it's random as to which group you get into) and the second group does about 40 minutes of cardio. I am happy just to be able to do anything to feel more like my old self.

Babs

Babs, good luck with the trial!

Zarovka, I've become addicted to researching on exercise and cancer. It really does help motivate one to move. It has kept me exercising daily for 7+ years now.

Exercise, future anticancer therapy?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/1605...

This one is in relation to prostate cancer. (An addict can't be picky.) There was also a recent one on cervical cancer risk reduction with just 30 minutes' exercise per week.

Hi Scrunch!

Thanks so much for sharing this research. My own personal experiment 6-7 years ago supports what Dr. Jones is learning about larger populations. In fact, I reset what oncologists in Seattle considered possible during treatment. A bit of cycling with hills fits the 50%-80% of capacity quite nicely. Anyway, I "sailed" through six dose dense of each AC + T, and kept my core fitness. I made it a point to do at least a mile of walking whether I felt like it or not. I cycled on weekends and did my weekday routine of weights and crunches.

I am fortunate to be cancer free now, and hope to keep it that way. I am still cycling as doing number TEN Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic (200 miles over 2 days) this year. This keeps me training. I consider exercise part of my post-cancer treatment along with the daily aspirin.

Between then and now, I also took up running and normally fit in a couple of 5k runs a week. I am super-slow, but that isn't the point. It's to pound those bones, plus my route goes through a nature preserve, so I get to experience the woodland and bog.

I finished  5 years of anastrazole one year ago, and ended up with normal bone density scores.

Downsides of exercise? I wore out my bicycle recently and spent a fortunate getting it rebuilt. Likewise with other gear. But that is all part of the fun.

I will be fascinated to see what else Dr. Jones and others discover. Agree that exercise should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

And not just for survival. Because I also want to keep doing the things I love doing, not talk about the "things I used to do". - Claire

Babs, my onc mentioned this trial to me and encouraged me to exercise more. I'm not in the trial due to location but wanted to take part on my own for what it's worth. I'd been looking for the details regarding the study groups so thanks for sharing. Couple questions: Is the exercise regimen daily? Are there any criteria as far as target heart rate goes? Not knowing, I've started running 3 times a week following the couch to 5k plan with slower progression as I had some pain with my knees. Try to keep the heart rate in the upper moderate to vigorous range. Actually liking it quite a bit so far. Love being outside and the weather's been great!

Babs, thanks for the info. 3 days is very doable for me, 5-7 not so much. I also do 10-15 minutes of yoga near daily.

I am disappointed to hear about the hand, foot syndrome with Xeloda as that is one of my next treatment options and I had trouble with hand, foot when on Taxol (could only stand for 10 minutes with out burning, tingling, then painful itching...never had redness or peeling though which baffled oncs on what it really was) and it is not even a common side effect with T. That is a very uncool side effect I fear being easily susceptible to but then again, who knows? Everything's a bit unpredictable. Exercise does help feel I'm giving it my best shot for whatever it's worth. Very cool you can be part of the study.