Exercise Reduces Risk of Dying From Breast Cancer
Even moderate exercise, such as fast walking or easy cycling, reduced the risk of dying from breast cancer among post-menopausal women diagnosed with stage 0, stage I, or stage II disease, according to a small study.
The research was published online on Nov. 17, 2022, by the journal JAMA Network Open. Read “Association of Physical Activity With Risk of Mortality Among Breast Cancer Survivors.”
About the study
The study included 315 post-menopausal women diagnosed with stage 0, stage I, or stage II breast cancer between 1996 and 2012. Of all the participating women, whose average age was 71:
68.9% were white
20.9% were Black
8.9% were Asian or Pacific Islander
1.3% were Latino
The women joined the study at least two years after being diagnosed. At the start of the study, the researchers had the women fill out questionnaires about their physical activity and fatigue levels.
The researchers used the results from the physical activity questionnaires to classify the women’s exercise levels. The levels were:
Active: The women did strenuous or frequent exercise, such as running or jogging, for more than 15 minutes nearly every day each week
Moderately active: The women did moderate exercise, such as fast walking or easy cycling, for more than 15 minutes three to five times a week.
Insufficiently active or sedentary: The women did light or less frequent exercise, such as yoga or archery, a few days a week.
The researchers followed the women until they died or until the study ended on April 30, 2022. The maximum follow-up time was 8.7 years.
During follow-up, 45 women died (14.3%) of various causes, and five of those women died of breast cancer.
The researchers measured mortality rates as the number of deaths per 1,000 person-years. Person-years is a way researchers measure time that takes into account both the number of people in the study and the amount of time each person spends in the study. For example, a study that follows 1,000 people a year would have 1,000 person-years of information. Mortality rates were:
12.9 per 1,000 person-years for active women
13.4 per 1,000 person-years for moderately active women
32.9 per 1,000 person-years for insufficiently active women
Women who were active or moderately active had a 60% lower risk of dying than women who were insufficiently active.
“The findings of this cohort study suggest that even moderate physical activity was associated with a 60% lower risk of death among breast cancer survivors, similar to a previous cohort,” the researchers wrote. “The mortality risk was similar among participants who were active and those with moderate physical activity levels. Our findings further suggest that survivorship care plans should consider incorporating physical activity because even moderate activity may be vital for extending survival as well as health-related quality of life.”
What this means for you
The results of this study show how important exercise is for people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
In May 2022, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released guidelines on exercise, diet, and weight management during breast cancer treatment — effectively making exercise a part of breast cancer care.
Also, a study of more than 1,500 U.S. cancer survivors also showed how important it is to exercise after you complete breast cancer treatment. The study found that survivors who didn’t exercise and sat most of the day were more likely to die from cancer or other causes than people who sat less and were more active.
Still, finding the time and motivation to exercise almost every day can be challenging, especially if you’re recovering from breast cancer, are currently receiving treatment, or are busy with everyday life activities.
Starting slowly, especially if you’ve never exercised before, may help you stick with a daily routine. Walking for 15 to 20 minutes a day can be a good way to start. You can work up from there after a few weeks. You also may want to consider slow bike riding or gentle stretching.
Many people find walking with a friend gives them extra incentive to find time to be active each day.
It’s never too late to get moving, regardless of how old you are. And once you start, keep at it!
Learn more about exercise.
Updated on January 25, 2023