In a new study, breast cancer survivors who completed a three-month high-intensity resistance training program improved strength, mobility, balance, and muscle mass—supporting a faster return to everyday activities.
After breast cancer surgery, many women are told to limit how much—and how soon—they exercise.
But new research presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting suggests that guidance may be too cautious.
In this study, nearly 200 recent breast cancer survivors completed a three-month, high-intensity resistance training program. All had undergone lumpectomy, mastectomy, or lymph node removal.
The results: Participants improved strength, mobility, balance, and muscle mass—supporting a faster return to everyday activities. And this wasn’t light training. Within weeks, many were lifting 100 pounds. By the end, some reached 200.
Improvements were consistent across all surgery types, even among those who had more extensive procedures.
One study author says “…the benefits of high-level exercise and resistance training and the ability of breast cancer survivors to perform well should not be underestimated.”
He says the research team strongly believes “exercise should be not only a component of survivorship, but part of the standard of care.”
Source: The American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) Annual Meeting
Author Affiliations: Allegheny Health Network, WellStar Paulding Medical Center
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