Breast Cancer and Exercise Therapy

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer, with one in eight women diagnosed in Australia. While advancements in treatment have significantly improved survival rates, many individuals face ongoing challenges related to fatigue, reduced strength, mental health impacts and overall quality of life. Exercise has widely been recognised as a powerful tool in cancer care, offering benefits that have led to it being advocated as a standard part of cancer care. Let’s dive into the evidence-based recommendations.

Tamika Hassum, 05 Mar 25

Accredited Exercise Physiologist

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Exercise during and after breast cancer treatment has been shown to:

Reduce cancer-related fatigue
Manage musculoskeletal concerns including shoulder dysfunction
Reduce deconditioning and functional decline associated with many of the treatments, along with maintaining/improving muscle mass
Manage post-surgical pain
Improve muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
Manage cardiometabolic risk factors related to treatment
Support bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis
Manage lymphoedema
Stimulate brain health to help manage cognitive decline
Enhance mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
Decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and improve overall survival rates

The current evidence-based guidelines for individuals with breast cancer are actually no different to the general population, which highlights just how safe and effective exercise can be for this group of people! The clinical guidelines therefore recommend at least 150minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (anything that gives you a bit of a puff but allows you to still talk) per week, in addition to 2-3 moderate intensity strength/resistance-based exercise sessions, targeting big muscle groups where possible.

In saying this, it is important that this is individualised based on your previous exercise levels and current exercise tolerance (which may be affected by the cancer itself or the associated treatments you are undertaking). This is where an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) can help you out; we implement graded exercise therapy (GET). GET means that we start small and progressively increase your exercise over time, taking into account how your body is tolerating the activity and other symptoms that you may be experiencing. Our exercise recommendations are therefore tailored to your individual abilities with adaptations made depending on your type and severity of cancer, any treatment related side effects and current health status. To ensure this, we work collaboratively as part of your multidisciplinary health team.

Movement really is medicine when it comes to breast cancer, and with the right approach, it can be a powerful ally in recovery and long term health.

Tamika Hassum

Accredited Exercise Physiologist