Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.

Since October is breast cancer month, it is a great time to address the impact of exercise on this form of cancer.

Not only can exercise and nutrition play a role in preventing breast cancer, they also play a critical role in recovering from breast cancer. Since the vast majority of women that are diagnosed with breast cancer will survive, a solid exercise program will go a long way to helping with the recovery process.

As with any health condition or chronic disease, it is important to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

A few of the benefits of exercise following breast cancer are the following:

– help begin daily activities

– decrease joint stiffness

– maintain movement in the arm and shoulder

– reduce pain in the neck and back

– improve overall well-being.

You may feel sore, numb, tingling or burning sensation on the back your arm or chest wall if surgery has irritated some of your nerve endings. These feelings may increase a few weeks after surgery. Continue your exercise unless you notice an increase in swelling or tenderness. If this happens, tell your doctor.

It is normal to feel the skin and tissue pull and stretch during the first three to 10 days following surgery. During this initial period, exercise should be of a common and slow nature.

Care should be taken to not make any sudden movements until the incision has healed and the drain has been removed.

As with most exercise programs, every individual is unique and so is their exercise regime, but there are some common approaches. Most programs following breast cancer will place an emphasis on the following:

– exercises that improve circulation, particularly in the upper body

– exercises that strengthen the upper body

– movements that contribute to increase range of motion in the arms and shoulders.

During the initial six to12 weeks, most individuals will work closely with a physiotherapist and Kinesiologist.

It is crucial that the individual is disciplined and committed to following the exercise program during these initial weeks. This will only make the recovery process smoother and get the individual back to their regular activities of daily living that much quicker.

Lymphedema is a common concern following surgery from breast cancer. Lymphedema is swelling caused by a build up of lymph fluid in a part of the body. For specific strategies to prevent or manage this condition please visit the Canadian Cancer Society website at www.cancer.ca. A simple search for breast cancer and exercise on this site will produce a downloadable brochure that contains a wealth of information along with specific exercises that will aid in the rehabilitation process.