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Morgan Ihde
Foundations of Human Performance
2/21/13
Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Prevention
When you hear “breast cancer” what comes to your mind? Typically the word cancer makes
you think the loss of hair, weight, and motivation to keep going, or even death. But did you
know there are physical ways to not only help you overcome breast cancer, but to even prevent
breast cancer. For those who don’t know what breast cancer is it’s a malignant tumor that
starts in the cells of the either breast; a malignant tumor is cancer cells that surround your
tissues and spread to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs mainly in women, but that
doesn’t mean men can’t get it either (1).
A little insight about Breast Cancer, this cancer is the second leading cancer death
among women in the United States. In 2009 more than 192,000 women were diagnosed with
invasive breast cancer, and about 40,000 died from the disease. Estimation in 2006 says that
there were more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
When you think of physical activity, what comes to your mind? Physical activity is
defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles; such movement results in an
expenditure of energy. Physical activity is a critical component of energy balance, a term used
to describe how weight, diet, and physical activity influence health, including cancer risk (2).
Studies show that breast cancer occurs more in women who are inactive more than
those who are regularly active. High levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity during
adolescence are also a prevention of breast cancer. Existing evidence shows a decreasing risk of
breast cancer as the frequency and duration of physical activity increase. Most studies suggest
that 30 minutes per day of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity is associated with a
reduction in breast cancer risk. Physical activity prevents tumors by lowering hormone levels,
mainly in premenopausal women. Premenopausal means the natural shift from more or less
regular cycles of ovulation and menstruation to a more permanent infertility. Also physical
activity lowers levels of insulin like growth factors, and improves response assisting with weight
maintenance avoiding excess body fat and high body mass. Premenopausal usually happens in
women in their 40’s but it could start as early as their 30’s (3).
Insulin can prevent the growth effect on breast cancer cells. It’s believed to be an
important mechanism associated with the development of breast cancer. Insulin is an
enhancement tumor development by stimulating cells to multiply and inhibits cells from dying.
Insulin can be modified by lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions (1).
About 25 percent of breast cancer survivors will have a second reoccurrence (4), but for
those who are breast cancer survivors and have not had a reoccurrence are maintaining to be in
physical activity still will help. Since they were affected with cancer to begin with, the cancer
treatment often results in a decrease in physical activity and deconditioning associated with
disuse of muscles. Reviews say that cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength among those
survivors helps with reducing fatigue and improving their mood and their quality of life. Also,
for those who are physical after survival have a higher psychosocial outcome, and have less
cancer-related symptoms.
Some moderate activities doctors request are ones like walking, biking, and swimming.
Also, yard work or even house cleaning. The recommended minutes of physical activity per day
is about 30. Those who are survivors learn many ways to interact physical activities into their
daily lives. Parking further away, or instead of elevators and escalators they use the stairs (4).
Even though that doesn’t seem like much, the more physical you are the more it helps you
slowly but surely.
A common question for those who have breast cancer is “Should I exercise during
cancer treatment and recovery?” The answer is yes! Doctors suggest that it is safe to do during
cancer treatment. It improves multiple aspects on their life. Not only does it improve fatigue
and anxiety. It also helps heart and blood vessel fitness (5). While people are getting
chemotherapy or radiation can exercise, just at a lower intensity and slowly build up. It will
truly help in the long run. They don’t have to do it alone either, a family member or friend, or
even dog if you have one could be by your side the entire time if you ask.
About 32 percent of breast cancer survivors are engaged in physical activity. Also, there
are thoughts about breast cancer in certain ethnicities, but no matter what your ethnical
background is, if you are doing at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activities each day,
it could prevent cancer from coming back (5).
No, physical activity is not completely a cancer demolisher but with the research I have
found it will help you in the long run. Suggestions show that those who are physical are not only
healthier, but psychological stronger.
Citations
(1)
Irwin, M. L., George, S. M., & Matthews, C. E. (2010). Physical activity and breast
cancer: Prevention, survival, and mechanisms. Retrieved from
https://www.presidentschallenge.org/informed/digest/docs/sept2010digest.pdf
(2)
Weiss, M. (2012, September 17).
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/medicines. Retrieved from
http://www.breastcancer.org/
(3)
National Cancer Institue. (2009, July 22). National cancer institute fact sheet.
Retrieved from
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/physicalactivity
(4)
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010, sept 16). Perimenopause. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimenopause/DS00554
(5)
American Cancer Society, I. (2012). www.cancer.org. Retrieved from
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SurvivorshipDuringandAfterTreatment/Nutritionfo
rPeoplewithCancer/nutrition-and-physical-activity-during-and-after-cancer-treatmentanswers-to-common-questions