Groundbreaking research presented at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium demonstrates the significant impact of exercise on breast cancer outcomes, with new data showing dramatic improvements in survival rates for patients who maintain regular physical activity during treatment.
Dr. Rikki Cannioto, Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, presented compelling evidence during the "Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll" special session. The presentation highlighted both published and preliminary data showing that breast cancer patients who adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Physical Activity Guidelines experience a 49% lower mortality rate and 31% reduced risk of disease recurrence.
Strong Evidence Supporting Exercise Benefits
A 2022 report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reinforces these findings, documenting multiple benefits of exercise during cancer treatment, including:
- Reduced fatigue, anxiety, and depression
- Decreased treatment side effects
- Improved sleep quality
- Enhanced cardiorespiratory and muscle fitness
- Better physical functioning
Current Guidelines and Patient Adherence
The CDC's exercise guidelines recommend that all adults, including those with chronic diseases, should:
- Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly
- Perform muscle-strengthening activities twice per week
However, Dr. Cannioto emphasized a concerning statistic: fewer than 15% of cancer survivors in the United States currently meet these recommended guidelines.
Clinical Recommendations
"As part of oncology visits with patients who are in treatment with the intent of trying to cure the disease, oncology providers should assess patients' exercise behaviors and recommend that they exercise," Dr. Cannioto stated. She emphasized that there's no minimum threshold required to see benefits, encouraging patients who cannot meet the guidelines to focus on simply moving more and sitting less.
Implementation in Clinical Practice
The session, moderated by Dr. Christine Ambrosone, the Jayne and Phil Hubbell Family Endowed Chair in Cancer Prevention, aimed to provide healthcare providers with clear, evidence-based guidance for advising breast cancer patients about lifestyle modifications that can improve their outcomes.
The findings presented underscore the importance of incorporating exercise recommendations into standard cancer care protocols, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes through this non-pharmacological intervention. Healthcare providers are encouraged to discuss exercise as a vital component of cancer treatment, adapting recommendations to each patient's capabilities and limitations.
