Breast Cancer Survivors Can Greatly Benefit From Exercise

A recent study conducted at the University of Missouri found that the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for breast cancer survivors who suffer from a chronic swelling condition called lymphedema. Lymphedema can occur any time after cancer treatment, and is usually caused by the removal or radiation of lymph nodes as part of the treatment process. Approximately three million people in the United States are affected by this condition, and most have been told that exercise can induce or worsen the issue. However, this new research suggests that exercise is actually very beneficial for breast cancer survivors. Jane Armer, professor in the Sinclair School for Nursing, says, “Each individual should balance the pros and cons of the activity she chooses, but keep in mind that being sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence."