Home → Day-to-Day Matters → Ask-The-Expert Conferences: Day-to-Day Matters → January 2006: Physical Activity and Breast Cancer → Exercises for flexibility and muscle tone?

Exercises for flexibility and muscle tone?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008

Question from Helen: I have metastases to the bones all over the body but I feel I should do some exercising to keep the flexibility and some muscle tone to cope for longer. Where should I go for suggestions?: Answers —Miriam Nelson, Ph.D.: I would suggest yoga, tai chi, or Pilates, just in terms of helping with well-being as well as strength and flexibility and getting to the whole body. Hopefully there is a fitness center or YWCA near you that has programs.; Julie Gralow, M.D.: In somebody who has known metastases in the bones, it is important to talk with your oncologist and know where the spots are and whether the spot's at increased risk of fracture. Make sure your health care team is aware of your fitness regimen.

I think some oncologists are overly cautious in their recommendation to patients with cancer in the bones. Being involved in Team Survivor Northwest as their medical director, I have many patients with metastases to the bones who are very physically active. I have a team that participates in a triathlon every year. One year I had a woman who was training, and her oncologist called me and said she shouldn't be doing so much because of her bone metastases. I asked if any spots were at increased risk of fracture, and when told they weren't, I said I'd watch the woman to make sure she didn't have problems.

Indeed, when she completed the triathlon, her husband was one of the volunteers, and it was a great thing. She only lived a couple more months after that, and at her memorial service, her husband told me how much we were able to do for her in her last couple of years of life to allow her to participate and set goals, and when she crossed that finish line, it was her greatest accomplishment in the last couple of years. He thanked me for allowing her to participate when her oncologist had been so hesitant.; Judith Sachs, moderator: The power of the human spirit is so much stronger than we ever imagined!; Miriam Nelson, Ph.D.: Many times, physicians are very cautious about exercise because they really don't understand the benefits, and they're worried just about the risks. Not always, but almost always, some exercise is much less risky than no exercise at all. I think you do need to be proactive as a patient.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Physical Activity and Breast Cancer. Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., Julie Gralow, M.D., and moderator Judith Sachs answered your questions about the many issues related to physical activity and breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Miriam Nelson, Ph.D. is the author of the international best-sellers Strong Women Stay Young; Strong Women Stay Slim;Strong Women, Strong Bones; and other titles. She is Director of the John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition and Associate Professor of Nutrition at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Julie Gralow, M.D. is associate professor of medical oncology specializing in breast cancer at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and director of breast medical oncology at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Judith Sachs is a health educator, writer, speaker, and former member of the Breastcancer.org editorial team.