To reduce the risk of breast cancer relapse, women should be active in regular physical activity and control their weight gain.
After breast cancer, the most active women have a lower risk than others of having their cancer recur, reports a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Along with weight loss, physical activity is one of the most effective lifestyles in warding off this threat and improving the quality of life of former patients.
For many years, sports programs and dietetic workshops have been essential in cancer centers. It must be said that the scientific literature is unanimous: at all stages of the pathology, moving and eating better can reduce fatigue, better tolerate treatments and improve the chances of recovery.
These benefits are confirmed by the analysis carried out by researchers at the Sunnybrook Health Center (Canada). They looked at nearly 70 studies evaluating the impact of different behaviors, such as exercise, diet, weight changes or smoking.
Maintain your weight
It appears that physical exercise is the most effective way to reduce the risk of death from breast cancer. The authors recommend that women practice 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 times a week, or 75 minutes of intense activity 2 to 3 times a day. According to some studies, this regular practice would reduce the risk of recurrence and death by 20 to 50%.
This study also shows the harm of too much weight gain after diagnosis. “Gaining more than 10% of your body weight increases the risk of dying from breast cancer” or other causes, says Dr. Ellen Warner. This is because the development of fatty tissue promotes the proliferation of cancer cells, which compromises the chances of recovery.
To avoid gaining those pounds, physical activity and a healthy diet are essential. However, the researchers did not identify an “anti-cancer diet”. The future of women favoring whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean meats seems similar to that of followers of processed products and red meat.
On the other hand, researchers assure that women can consume soy. They add that giving pride of place to tofu, vegetable steak or other soy-based specialties can replace high-calorie meats, and thus contribute to weight control. The researchers also emphasize that vitamin supplements should be handled with caution because the benefit of their use has not yet been proven.
Avoid tobacco and alcohol
Finally, researchers are urging women to stop smoking and reduce their alcohol consumption. “While it is still uncertain whether quitting smoking after breast cancer has an impact, the risk of dying from a smoking-related illness is a good reason to quit,” they write. Likewise for alcohol, the risks are sufficiently known not to play with fire, they believe. They advise limiting consumption to one drink, or even less per day.
“Adopting healthy behaviors can also be psychologically beneficial by empowering them, and giving them back a sense of control. However, patients should not feel guilty for not having made the right choices if their cancer comes back, ”they say.
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