The Benefits of Exercise Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Background: Many strategies for breast cancer prevention and treatment are largely focused on chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and other pharmacologic therapies, which can be expensive and even may result in long-term morbidity and mortality. Due to the fact that thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, improved interventions and non-pharmacologic treatments need to be further investigated. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefits and positive outcomes of exercise therapy for patients with breast cancer as well as to identify what types of exercise interventions are favorable to incorporate into a breast cancer patient’s plan of care. Methods:An integrative literature review was conducted searching databases: Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) Complete, PubMed, and ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source. Eligible articles were evaluated for meeting the inclusion criteria which required that articles were published within the last 10 years, available for abstract review, written in the English language, and peer-reviewed. Results: A total of 10 articles were reviewed. Four major benefits of exercise therapy were identified among patients with breast cancer: decreased fatigue, improved physical functioning, decreased depressive symptoms, and increased quality of life in the long-term. One favorable exercise therapy was also highlighted: individualized exercise regimens. Conclusion: Exercise therapy should be integrated into a breast cancer patient’s plan of care to minimize adverse effects of cancer treatment and improve a patient’s quality of life. Keywords: breast cancer, breast neoplasm, exercise therapy, benefit