http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCallPlusBreastCancerNews/pumping-iron-cancer-weight-training-beneficial-breast-cancer/story?id=12353670
http://www.livescience.com/10334-weight-lifting-benefit-breast-cancer-survivors.html
http://www.cancervic.org.au/how-you-can-help/donate
Weight Training Helps Breast Cancer Survivors
(Vibes Fitness Fitzroy) has worked with many doctors whom refer their patients for weight training sessions with gr8 sucess.
Just as doctors now know heart attack and back pain patients can benefit from physical activity during recovery, a study published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finds breast cancer survivors may benefit from pumping iron after surgery.
The study, performed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, shows that breast cancer survivors who participated in a supervised, slowly progressive weight training program after undergoing surgery did not develop the painful, arm-swelling condition known as lymphedema -- and in fact, may have even reduced or prevented the complication.
The researchers placed 154 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous five years, and who had had at least two lymph nodes removed but did not have lymphedema, into two randomly assigned groups. The first group was supervised by a personal trainer who led them through a 13-week weight lifting program, which they continued for another nine months at home. The second group didn't exercise.
By the end of the one year study, the weight lifters had cut their risk of developing the condition by 35 percent. Only 11 percent of the group developed lymphedema, compared to 17 percent of those in the non-exercising group. Among women who had the most aggressive surgery, with five or more lymph nodes removed, the impact of the weightlifting intervention was even greater -- a nearly 70 percent risk reduction. Twenty-two percent of inactive participants developed lymphedema, compared to just 7 percent in the exercising group.
"Women have been told for decades that they should not do anything with the affected limb," said the study's lead author, Dr. Kathryn Schmitz, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics and a member of Penn's Abramson Cancer Center. "Our work is showing that women who have had lymph nodes removed and have not developed cancer are less likely to develop arm swelling over time if they slowly and progressively increase the capacity of their damaged limb to withstand the stresses of real life like lifting their purse, moving heavy boxes or carrying a child."
Arm, Shoulder Problems Common in Breast Cancer Survivors
Currently half of all breast cancer survivors have some sort of arm and shoulder problems, but their doctors have been cautious about recommending exercise for fear it would harm the affected areas and cause further problems. Schmitz said she hopes her work will put these fears to rest for both doctors and patients.
She said she believes her findings may be the greatest help to African American women who, studies show, are typically diagnosed with later stage cancer, have more lymph nodes removed in surgery and are more apt to return manual labor jobs after medical care.
"These women are prime candidates for developing lymphedema and all the complications that go with it. Without an evaluation and proper rehabilitation they often find themselves out of work because they can no longer lift things," she said.
This latest study builds on the team's previous work, which showed that slow and careful strength training with an assessment beforehand by a qualified therapist is not only safe for women but also decreases the likelihood that lymphedema would flare up
Weight Training Helps Breast Cancer Survivors
"It should be a wakeup call for women to be given a prescription for rehabilitation as a standard of care. If their doctor doesn't automatically make a referral, women need to become squeaky wheels and demand it," Schmitz said.
However, Schmitz cautions that women who have been through breast cancer surgery should not rush out to buy a gym membership and start exercising on their own. Instead, they should work with a qualified professional trainer who can guide them carefully through a customized program.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1915975,00.html
Benefits Seen in Postcancer Weight-Lifting
For as many as two-thirds of breast-cancer survivors, their lifesaving cancer treatment can lead to an incurable and painful condition known as lymphedema. The condition commonly affects patients whose lymph nodes were removed during surgery, causing often debilitating swelling in the hands and arms because of lymph fluid buildup.
Doctors typically tell patients who have the chronic condition to avoid heavy lifting, since lymphedema can flare up and cause infection easily. Many women are advised to not pick up their children, to not use heavy handbags or lift more than 10-15 lb. at a time and to limit exercise to milder forms such as walking, swimming and light aerobics. (See TIME's special report on advances for breast-cancer patients.)
Those rules can complicate everyday life, as Ethel Jefferson, 68, a breast-cancer patient in Philadelphia, learned firsthand. When her condition was diagnosed several months after her lumpectomy and radiation treatment, her doctor warned her against lifting more than 2 lb. with the affected arm. "Can you imagine going grocery-shopping?" she says. "I would ask someone at the store to lift my bags and then make sure someone would be home to help. You learn to compensate, but it was a challenge."
But a new study suggests that doctors may be overlooking some significant benefits of heavy-lifting activity for thousands of patients like Jefferson. Published in the Aug. 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the study is the largest and longest of its kind to date. University of Pennsylvania researchers recruited 141 breast-cancer patients with a diagnosis of stable lymphedema. Half of them participated in a biweekly 90-min. weight-lifting program, which involved the slow, progressive addition of weight machines and free weights, up to as much weight as patients could comfortably lift; the other half of the patients did not lift weights at all.
By the end of the yearlong study, the women who worked out were stronger than the non–weight lifters — some could bench-press as much as 85 lb., while the majority were able to press dumbbells weighing more than 15 lb. — and did not experience any more swelling than the nonlifting group. Indeed, the exercisers were more likely to report that their symptoms had improved, with half as many (14%) reporting flare-ups as their counterparts (29%). Fewer flare-ups, doctors say, means less physical therapy to treat them — which means considerable savings in patients' time, money and discomfort.
The merit of the weight-lifting program — beyond its health benefits — is that it could be affordable and accessible for breast-cancer survivors, says Schmitz. The classes used in her study were designed to be easily replicated. So call us today and we will liaise with your doctor and work together as a team.
(Vibes Fitness Fitzroy has worked with many breast cancer patients with gr8 success)
We are more than happy to work with your doctor and design a weight training program thats suits your needs & body type 0412526383
Personal Training & Classes by appointment only - Call today for a complimentary consultation 0412 526 383 / 94192033