4-18-06

Exercise and Cancer Survivors

The effects of exercise in breast cancer survivors is being studied at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Individuals who are undergoing or have completed treatment for breast cancer may question whether it is safe to start an exercise program. Physical exercise is not only safe for breast cancer patients, but moderate activity on a regular basis offers a number of benefits, says Dr. Laura Rogers, associate professor of internal medicine at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.

SOUND BITE: "It appears to reduce fatigue or the tired feeling that some breast cancer patients have during and after treatment. It helps them to sleep better. It may improve their body image. It may reduce their stress level. It provides them with the usual health benefits that either a cancer or noncancer patient would get from exercise."

Dr. Rogers says exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and other health problems. She recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity at least five days per week. Walking is the most common exercise among patients, but other physical activities that they enjoy also can be beneficial. She is studying the effects of exercise in breast cancer survivors in two research projects. Dr. Rogers describes one of her research projects.

SOUND BITE: " . . . we are going to enroll breast cancer patients who are currently on the hormonal therapies such as tamoxifen or Arimidex and we’re going to randomly assign these individuals to either get exercise information in the form of written information or they will be placed in a group that will get supervised coached exercise sessions that will be tapered over a six-week period to a more home-based program."

Breast cancer survivors who might be interested in participating in either study can contact Dr. Rogers at 217-545-7750 weekdays. For more advise about exercise, talk to your personal physician.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.