Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Role of Exercise in Cancer Care

Breast cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally demanding. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapies can all affect the body in different ways, sometimes leading to fatigue, reduced strength, changes in mobility, loss of muscle mass and reduced confidence with movement.

 

While rest and recovery are important, staying active can also play an important role throughout treatment and recovery.

 

How can exercise help?

 

Research continues to highlight the benefits of exercise for people living with and beyond cancer. Appropriate exercise can help support:

• Strength and muscle mass – helping maintain or rebuild physical capacity during and after treatment.
• Fatigue management – regular, appropriately prescribed activity can help reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve energy levels over time.
• Cardiovascular health – supporting heart and lung function and overall physical fitness.
• Bone health – particularly important for people whose treatment may affect bone density.
• Balance and physical function – helping you maintain independence and confidence with everyday activities.
• Mental wellbeing and quality of life – movement can provide a sense of confidence, routine and control during what can be a challenging time.

Importantly, more exercise isn't necessarily better. The right amount and type of exercise will depend on where you are in your treatment journey, your symptoms, medical history and current capacity.

Some days you may have more energy than others, and that's okay. Exercise can be modified to meet you where you're at.

How can an Exercise Physiologist help?

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is trained to prescribe and adapt exercise for people with a range of health conditions, including cancer.

At Exercise Physiology Brisbane, we take the time to understand your treatment history, current symptoms, goals and what matters most to you. From there, we can develop an individualised exercise program that can progress alongside you, whether you're currently undergoing treatment, recovering from treatment or looking to rebuild your strength and confidence afterwards.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're recognising the strength and resilience of everyone affected by breast cancer and highlighting the important role that movement can play in supporting health, function and quality of life.

At Exercise Physiology Brisbane, we're here to help you move with confidence through every stage of your journey.