Why Exercise Is Integral to Breast Cancer Aftercare
Even superheroes have a comeback plan.
Until I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL), one of the most feared complications of breast cancer1, I didn’t know much about the lymphatic system. 🤔
For example, I didn’t know that the lymphatic system, unlike the circulatory system, lacks a central pump. My certified BCRL therapists educated me that muscle activity is crucial for moving lymph fluid and managing BCRL.
The “muscle pump” - the contraction of surrounding muscles - propels lymph fluid towards lymph nodes, where it’s filtered and returned to the bloodstream. When this system is compromised, which can happen during breast cancer treatment, muscle activity, including specific exercises, becomes vital for lymph fluid drainage.
I’ve spent the last two years dealing with five breast cancer-related surgeries and now BCRL. I’m definitely out of shape. Knowing that exercise can improve BCRL is a huge motivator.
Exercise is also a powerful way to reduce stress and anxiety, boost self-esteem, and enhance overall well-being. 💜
In my research I read a study that found: “Women who engaged in regular physical activity before their cancer diagnosis and after treatment were less likely to have their cancer come back (recur) or to die compared with those who were inactive.”2
Even more reason to move as often as possible, which isn’t always easy, I know.
However, the breast cancer aftercare journey is a long game, and exercise is a critical component. It is essential to move as often as you can, when you can.
I’ve been lucky to find a great gym and coach to help me build back better. Here’s to getting my superhero on. Compression sleeves, compression tank, and all. 🙌 I’ll share more about why I have to wear compression garments in another post.
Finding the time, energy and motivation to exercise may be the hardest part about getting a work out in. It was hard enough to find the time before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, as I was focused on family and running my sustainability consulting practice. I did my best, but I’ll be honest, my job was such that I sat ALL day in front of a computer as an eager participant in the knowledge economy. Just writing out that reality of the years I have spent sitting down makes me want to vomit.
Now I am finding myself figuring out how to prioritize movement and self-care above work, which is hard. How can one afford these “self indulgences” of so much “me time” if you aren’t generating the income needed to do so? I haven’t figured out the answer yet. Do I need a new occupation where I have the freedom to move more? If you have the secret to success here, please share!
I’d like to think that the healthier my body is, the better my income stream will be to then increase the resources I am spending on improving my health. I’m sure other working moms are caught in the same conundrum. I’ll let you know how this theory works out for me.
The science is clear though. Exercise and weight loss is what I personally need to focus on to improve my BCRL. After so many surgeries, and months sitting patiently, healing after each one, I’ve got a long road ahead to get back into fighting shape. I’m grateful for my certified BCRL therapists, weight training coach, barre and cycling instructors for supporting my big superhero comeback. We got this!