Premium

How breast cancer survivor benefitted from exercise: ‘I felt like I was doing something good for myself, not just waiting for treatment to work’

Oncologists say exercise is becoming a key tool in cancer care as study shows its efficacy in breast cancer survivors

The stretches and yoga helped her feel calm and sleep better, which made a big difference to her mental health. (File Photo)

When 53-year-old Jyotsana Singh (name changed) was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and started her treatments, she had a tough time dealing with their side effects and constant fatigue. But her doctor insisted she walk daily and do simple strength training exercises with chairs and resistance bands. Although difficult at first, she gradually built her muscle strength, could tolerate therapies better and ease her journey to remission.

According to Dr Ankit Jain, senior consultant, medical oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, these positive experiences are common. “Therapists almost always find patients who have taken to yoga and walks feeling healthier as they move toward remission,” he says. Jyotsana says she could only take short walks in the beginning. “Slowly, I started feeling stronger. Doing light strength training exercises helped me regain my muscles and made everyday activities easier. I didn’t feel so tired all the time. That gave me more confidence to face my therapy sessions,” she adds.

The stretches and yoga helped her feel calm and sleep better, which made a big difference to her mental health. “Exercise didn’t cure my cancer but it helped my body and mind stay strong during a tough time. It made me feel like I was doing something good for myself, not just waiting for treatment to work. I believe that being active gave me hope and helped me get through the difficult days with more courage.”

Story continues below this ad

What a new study says about cancer and exercise

The benefits are visible in a new study published in Springer Nature Link, which says that a single bout of resistance training or HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) can increase levels of anti-cancer myokines (small proteins) among survivors of breast cancer, potentially contributing to a lower risk of recurrence. These can attack and reduce cancer cells. The study, conducted in vitro, needs broader validation across other cancers.

According to Dr SVS Deo, surgical oncologist at Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, exercise is an important component during rehabilitation which impacts overall outcomes. “There is a new field coming up called exercise oncology which is an emerging discipline in cancer care and shows a lot of promise in rehabilitation. Exercise is coming up in a big way in cancer care,” he says. Dr Deo is also collaborating with the Society of Surgical Oncology on a similar study establishing a link between cancer care and exercise.

What is the link between exercise and cancer cells?

Dr MD Ray, professor of surgical oncology at AIIMS, explains cancer patients often suffer from sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass, strength and function. This occurs due to both the disease and its treatment. Cancer also impairs calcium absorption and reduces bone density.

He emphasises prehabilitation or optimising the patient’s health before cancer surgery. “Patients are advised to undergo at least two to three weeks of physical preparation, including exercise, yoga, meditation and lung exercises like spirometry or pranayama. This improves circulation, cell function, and surgical outcomes, especially in complex cases like colorectal, gastric or metastatic cancers,” he says.

Story continues below this ad

He also stresses avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other addictions during this period. Patients who follow this regimen generally show better post-surgical tolerance and recovery compared to those who don’t.

Which cancer patients qualify for resistance and strength training?

Dr Jain says breast, prostate and colon cancer patients respond well to improvements in muscle mass and physical strength. Strength exercises prevent muscle loss, enhance recovery during and after treatment and reduce treatment-related fatigue. However, all cancer patients should consult their doctor before starting any exercise plan, as some individuals may need a more tailored approach depending on their condition.

Physical activity helps the body tolerate treatments, recover faster and lower the risk of cancer coming back by reducing inflammation and strengthening the immune response, adds Dr Jain. Exercise also reduces anxiety, which can make the journey to remission feel less stressful.