Breast cancer survivors are half as likely to have the cancer return if they exercise regularly and keep their Body Mass Index (BMI) under 25, according to Josie Gardiner, coauthor of The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan.
As reported at HealthCanal.com, experts at the American College of Sports Medicine's 15th annual Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition gave women a reliable way to get their bodies back and prevent relapse: start exercising.
Afterchemotherapy, a cancer survivor can lose as much bone density in a year as the average woman loses in a decade, Gardiner said. Most personal trainers and fitnessprofessionalsdont know what the differentcancer treatmentsare, so they dont know how to treat clients whove had them.
Along with coauthors Joy Prouty and Dr. Carolyn Kaelin, Gardiner lays out in her book 8-10 full-body exercises targeted for those who are recovering from cancer. It presents a comprehensive guide to gaining back critical flexibility, cardiovascular fitness, strength, and balance.
These womens lives literally depend on being fit and active, she said.
Gardiner knows firsthand how important an exercise regimen is for bouncing back after cancer treatments.
Radiation treatments zapped me of all my strength, she said. I was too weak to dry my own hair. Exercise had always been a big part of my life, but none of my doctors knew what I could do to get back to my pre-cancer abilities. I decided to figure it out on my own.
Traditionally, cancer patients have been told to avoid exertion, but newer studies have shown that exercise can greatly improve physical function and quality of life during and after treatment, HealthCanal writes.
