Survivor? Exercise for Musculoskeletal Health

If you are a breast cancer survivor, you should still follow up on your health as your body has gone through many changes.

Research has found that exercise is one way of countering the long term effects of all what your body has gone through from the cancer treatment, especially if you are an older woman.







Jessica Dobek of the Oregon Health and Science University was the lead author of a study published in Springer's Journal of Cancer Survivorship. She advises women, "To build and maintain muscle strength, it is best for older breast cancer survivors to follow an ongoing exercise program of resistance and impact training" (News-Medical). 

As older women are the largest group of breast cancer survivors, the effect in them is larger. They fall under the three influences: aging, reduced exercise, and cancer treatments. 

The study states, "a one-year-long exercise regimen of resistance and impact training helped build muscle strength and stopped bone loss among a group of breast cancer survivors."

It is also advised that exercises are included in the long term care plan for breast cancer survivors. 

Although this study is still under work, it clearly sheds light on the importance of exercise to "preserve bone health among long-term cancer survivors at risk of fracture."

Talk to your health provider about whether you are to start exercising and the nature of the exercises needed. 

Source:

News-Medical: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20131209/Exercise-can-improve-musculoskeletal-health-for-breast-cancer-survivors-say-researchers.aspx

Photo:

http://www.123rf.com/photo_12376549_female-musculoskeletal-system-front-and-back-isolated-on-a-white-background-part-of-a-muscle-medical.html