Exercise Found Beneficial During Chemotherapy

Question: Should I continue to exercise if I’m receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer?

JESSICA WOODHAM

Merced

Answer: Although you should check with your physician before forging ahead with an exercise program, new research from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., shows that women who exercise moderately during breast cancer treatment suffer less fatigue and weight gain than those who don’t exercise.

In fact, much “treatment-related” weight gain is due to a decrease in activity rather than simply overeating or medication.

Breast cancer patients often complain of medication-related muscle loss, so one type of exercise to consider is strength training.

I’d suggest focusing on lower body (large muscle group) exercises. Walking can maintain your cardiovascular fitness without overexerting or compromising your immune system.

If you’d prefer to exercise in the privacy of your own home, you could try “Alicethenics,” an exercise tape created specifically for women recovering from breast cancer surgery or treatment.

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Stephanie Oakes is the fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel and a health/fitness consultant. Send questions by e-mail to: stephoakes@aol.com. She cannot respond to every query.