Exercise

Exercise plays an important role in the well-being of many women who have had breast cancer. Women who have undergone a mastectomy will receive instructions on how to exercise to keep the affected arm and shoulder from losing strength and flexibility.

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In addition, some evidence suggests that exercise helps lower the risk of recurrence. One study found that breast cancer survivors who walked just one to three hours a week at a pace of 3 miles per hour improved their chances of survival compared with sedentary breast cancer survivors. (Perhaps the walkers burn up fat that would otherwise produce estrogen, which can promote the growth of breast cancer). More strenuous exercise reduced the risk of dying from breast cancer even more.

For more information on exercise and losing weight, see our section on weight control.