Exercise boosts recovery from cancer.

2004 NOV 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women should aim for 1/2 hour of gentle exercise three times a week to aid their recovery from breast cancer, according to early results presented October 7, 2004, at a University of Bristol conference on Exercise and Cancer Rehabilitation.

The current standard treatment for breast cancer involves no exercise therapy. However, the initial findings from a Cancer Research UK trial has shown that exercise therapy and lifestyle counseling could hasten recovery and improve the long-term physical and mental well-being of women who are recovering from breast cancer.

As more women undergo successful treatment for breast cancer, many are experiencing ongoing side effects after their treatment. These long-term physical side effects can include weight gain, insomnia, fatigue, loss of muscle tone, reduced flexibility, and loss of libido. These physical symptoms can then lead to feelings of low self esteem, depression, anxiety, or lack of confidence.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer for women in the U.K., with nearly 41,000 new cases in the U.K. every year. This accounts for almost one in three of all cancer cases in women.

Launched in late 2002, the trial is designed to follow over 150 women, randomly divided into three separate groups, through an 8-week program.

Women in the first group were in an exercise program designed to suit their physical ability. At each session an exercise therapist also worked with the women to support and encourage them to include more physical activity into their daily lives.

The second group followed a body conditioning program, but were given no encouragement to do more physical activity, while the third were offered currently available standard treatment only.