There is evidence that regular exercise is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer. What is less clear is whether supervised exercise for women recovering from early breast cancer treatment is beneficial. A controlled trial from Scotland now answers some quality-of-life questions.
Mutrie et al (BMJ 2007;334:517-20) followed 100 women allocated to group exercise and 100 controls for three months after their initial treatment and found the exercise group derived functional and psychological benefit, which was immediate and sustained at six months.
It is suggested that the diagnosis of cancer affords a “teachable moment” when people are receptive to changes in lifestyle behaviours and the rigorous research indicates recovery from breast cancer therapy can be enhanced by seizing that moment.
