Share

Positivity helps cancer survivors exercise

Breast cancer survivors who believe in their ability to follow through with an exercise programme are more likely to continue working out after their treatment ends, according to a new study.

Researchers from Oregon State University (OSU) pointed out that physical activity can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and said women can learn the skills needed to help them overcome barriers to regular exercise.

"We can teach breast cancer survivors how to enlist the support of others and how to identify exercise-related barriers, as well as provide proven strategies for them to overcome those barriers," the study's lead author, Paul Loprinzi, a former doctoral student at OSU who is now a faculty member at Bellarmine University, said.

How the study was done

For the study, published in the Supportive Care in Cancer, the researchers examined what motivated 69 older breast cancer survivors to follow through on their workout regimen once their supervised exercise programme ended.

The study revealed that women with greater confidence in their ability to follow through on their exercise programme despite fatigue or other obstacles were much more likely to do so. Women with the most confidence were 10% more likely than others to still be physically active six months after their supervised programme ended.

For breast cancer survivors, physical exercise can help ease common side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue, depression and lost muscle strength, the researchers noted.

"Especially important is minimising weight gain after breast cancer treatment because excessive weight gain can increase the risk of developing reoccurring breast cancer," added Loprinzi.

Instructors who supervise exercise programmes can help survivors develop confidence in their ability to continue working out on their own, the researchers said.

And cancer survivors make good instructors, another study author, Bradley Cardinal, professor of exercise science at OSU, said in the news release. "When people who lead the classes are cancer survivors themselves, this can help because they become a role model. Also, they can help prepare the participants for that time when they have to exercise on their own," he said.

Replacing a problem behaviour with a positive one, such as taking a walk whenever stressed, is one strategy that can be effective, the study authors noted.

"In making the transition from group to being on your own, committing yourself by developing an activity schedule and identifying activities that are enjoyable, even signing a 'contract' with a social support partner would be useful," said Cardinal. "Rewarding yourself for small successes and gradually building on that is also important. It is critical to not expect too much too soon."

Read more:
Surgery and cancer

More information

The American Cancer Society has more about lifestyle changes after breast cancer.


(Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE