To Your Health
July, 2024 (Vol. 18, Issue 07) |
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Exercise for Breast Cancer
By Editorial Staff
An estimated one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer. While lifestyle habits can help reduce your risk, it's important to understand that what you do after a diagnosis could be just as important. One habit that can help with prevention and treatment: exercise.
According to new research, as little as 30 minutes of exercise increases the proportion of tumor-killing white blood cells in breast cancer patients. Patients, who had just been diagnosed and had not yet started traditional cancer treatment, pedaled on a stationary bicycle for 30 minutes. Each participant determined the resistance level during the exercise session. Blood samples were taken from each patient at rest, during exercise (after 15 minutes and 30 minutes of pedaling) and after exercise (30 minutes and 60 minutes after stopping pedaling) to determine white blood cell count and types at each time point.
During exercise, the proportion of natural killer cells (which fight cancer) increased significantly, while the proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (which promote cancer) decreased. While the total white blood cell counts for essentially all WBC types returned to pre-exercise values only one hour after exercise, the researchers note that in other studies, cancer-destroying cells may migrate into the area of the tumor (suggesting they can exert cancer-fighting influence on the tumor).
If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has been diagnosed, make sure your / their health care team discusses a comprehensive treatment plan that includes natural options including dietary and exercise changes.
