Physical Activity
Healthy choices
How physical activity supports you during breast cancer treatment
Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle—it helps you stay physically fit, maintain a healthy weight, and support your overall wellbeing during and after breast cancer treatment.1,2 Exercise can help reduce or avoid some side effects of treatment, such as fatigue, weight gain, osteoporosis, and lymphoedema. It lowers the risk of heart disease and strokes, prevents the loss of muscle tone and general fitness, and additionally supports your mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while improving mood and sleep quality.1,3
Being active can mean different things for different people. Any amount of activity is better than none. You can start by reducing the time you spend sitting down and gradually increasing the time you spend moving. Even breaking up your activity into short sessions, like three 10-minute walks, can provide benefits. It is important to adjust the intensity of your exercise based on how you feel and any symptoms you may have, such as fatigue or anaemia. Always discuss plans for more vigorous exercise with your treatment team or GP so they can help you find what is safe and right for you.1
Exercise also supports your cardiovascular health. Regular physical activity can help keep your heart strong and healthy, reduce your blood pressure, and improve circulation. These benefits are especially important during and after cancer treatment, which can sometimes increase the risk of heart problems. Staying active helps reduce that risk and improves your long-term health3.
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Physical activity after surgery
After breast cancer surgery, it is normal for your arm and shoulder on the operated side to feel stiff or sore for several weeks. Gentle movement and exercises are important to help you regain your range of motion and prevent tightness or discomfort. Your nurse specialist or a physiotherapist can teach you safe exercises to help you recover. Using the arm on the operated side normally rather than avoiding it encourages healthy lymphatic drainage and can reduce the risk of lymphedema (swelling that can change body shape and feel uncomfortable). Always protect your skin from injury and infection and tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any swelling or signs of infection. Give yourself time to heal and avoid intense activity with the operated arm for a few weeks after surgery, based on your doctor’s advice.1,4
Our sources
Where is this information coming from?
Our sources
Where is this information coming from?
- Breast Cancer Now. Physical activity, exercise and primary breast cancer. Breast Cancer Now https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/life-after-treatment/your-body-after-breast-cancer-treatment/physical-activity-exercise-and-primary-breast-cancer (2024).
- ESMO. The Patient Guide on Bone Health in Cancer. (2022).
- Cariolou, M. et al. Postdiagnosis recreational physical activity and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Programme ( CUP Global) systematic literature review and meta‐analysis. Int. J. Cancer 152, 600–615 (2023).
- ESMO. Breast Cancer: A Guide for Patients. (2018).
