Aerobic or exercise program can boost physical fitness and chemotherapy completion rates for women undergoing chemo for breast cancer, according to Canadian researchers quoted by media reports Tuesday.
"Breast cancer chemotherapy may cause unfavorable changes in physical functioning, body composition, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life," said Dr. Kerry S. Courneya and his colleagues of the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
The researchers examined the possible beneficial effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on the changes in a study involving 242 breast cancer patients beginning chemotherapy.
Compared to usual care, aerobic exercise was significantly better in improving patients' aerobic fitness and percent body fat. Resistance exercise was also superior to usual care for improving lower and upper body strength, lean body mass, and chemotherapy completion rates.
The researchers found exercise can also improve the self-esteem of the involved women. However, neither type of exercise significantly improved any cancer-related quality-of-life measures such as fatigue, depression, or anxiety.
Researchers suggested cancer doctors consider recommending an aerobic or resistance exercise program to women being treated for breast cancer.
Source:Xinhua/agencies
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