weight, weight gain after diagnosis adversely affect survival in breast cancer

[Lani]

did not consider her2 status, and as we know, her 2+ breast cancer tends to be a different beast--will have to wait to see if a similar study separates out breast cancer types by her2 status:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sec...lth&id=5822108

[Becky]

I will add my 2 cents here. The WHEL study (the study that shows survival benefit via exercise) showed that women who are hormone negative benefit the most from exercise (best benefit was 1 hr of walking 5 times per week). They did not break this out for Her2 but broke out ER/PR neg, ERneg/PR+, ER+/PR neg and ER+/PR+. Benefit of reduction of recurrence is as follows respectively - 44%, 38%, 31% and 20%. The 20% for the ER+/PR+ group was not statistically significant but all others were. The exercising group had a mean weight loss of 6kgs (about 13 lbs). Naturally, this causes one to ponder what really was the reason but regardless, there are other studies that are not bc related that show the same thing. For example, there was just a report that showed that fit obese people have less heart attacks and strokes than thin people who don't exercise and that study used only 30 minutes of walking every day. So exercising is probably it moreso. However, in bc - fat makes estrogen so more fat = more estrogen. Not good if ER+. Even if ER neg, it can up your chance for a new primary as being overweight is a postmenopausal risk factor for getting bc.

Anyway - get those walking shoes on ladies. Drag your significant other out there with you too.

When I am in San Antonio this week, there will be an update on another year of survival statistics on the exercise study and the lowfat diet study. I will definitely go and update the group. Since many early bc survivors here are done with formal treatment and many will be soon, this is the one thing we can control about preventing recurrence.

Thanks for this post as I am most interested in lifestyle studies.

[janet/FL]

I have more excuses for not exercising. After reading he above post I renewed my vow to exercise aerobically. I taped my bad foot (from a sprain 11 years ago) to get ready to work out on my rebounder. As I got up from the computer, my other foot had gone to sleep and I didn't realize it. I went to take a step and fell--spraining it! RICE but I can't even swim for a while at that makes a foot sprain worse! D*amn.

[dhealey]

thanks for the infor. I have always been an advocate regarding exercise. A was an avid walker and worked out with free weights before cancer and continue to do so since. It helped me to tolerate my chemo better.

[Mary Jo]

I just wanted to add to Becky's post. Another benefit of walking/jogging or whatever aerobic exercise you choose...............it does wonders for your mental state. There are days I will be feeling a bit down and out...............it's gray outside.................I'm worrying about whatever..............................and I'll lace up the shoes...........stick my ipod earphones in my ears...........................and head out the door. I can honestly say that I have never returned home not feeling better. Never. It doesn't make all the "feelings" go away but it's a proven fact the endorphins are released and endoprphins are natures antidepressants.

It's a fact........it works.............it helps keeps us healthy................helps keep the weight off......................IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary Jo

[Joanne S]

Thanks for the post and all the comments!

I must admit I've turned into a total couch potato.
I've gained 30 pounds since my diagnosis.
Let's see:
Walking is:
beneficial for heart health,
helps to lose weight,
less weight means less estrogen is generated,
and it positively affects mental health---
hum?
and $$$ it doesn't cost anything and
it can increase my survival time.

OK---OK---OK--I gotta find my shoes.

[Sheila]

My husband and I walk every night...of course the 2 labs are with us....I love to walk, unless it is clod outside...the way my nose runs, and eyes water from the medicines, it makes walking not very pleasant in the winter. Last night, we dealt with ice, but no worry about falling....we slipped our yak traks on the bottoms of our shoes, and off we went, no slipping...they were the best ever investment for people who live in the land of alternative weather!
Do the rest of you walk indoors or what??????

[Mary Jo]

Hi Sheila,

I walk/run outside MOST of the time. I did just pick up a treadmill though because we've gotten hit with lots of snow and ice so early in the season. I much prefer outside though and go outside whenever possible but the treadmill is nice for those other times.

Go baby go!!!!!!!!!!

Mary Jo

[Margerie]

I hike 5-6 hours a week. I take my 2 german shepherds. Since one is new and a pup (at 100 pounds) I get my upper body work-out too. I did not gain any weight throughout treatment- but I haven't lost any either!! And I need to lose about 30 pounds just to get to a healthy BMI. I have a pretty good diet (exception- December!) and really get a good workout on these hills. I am hoping that once I finish herceptin, some weight will drop. Darn menopuase!!!

(My weight blame game: three babies in 4 years, breast cancer treatment, menopause....and the blame continues....)

[Becky]

The menopause thing is something to contend with. I too needed to lose about 45 lbs or so to be in a healthy BMI (despite that I ran before bc). I did lose 35 lbs during and after treatment. However, once I had those ovaries removed I can't get rid of the last 10-12 lbs (which would put me smacki n the middle of the weight range for my height (and that would be about right as I am a medium frame even though I'd love to say I am a large frame)!

Even though I went back to running from walking in April, my weight still hasn't budged even though in the same hour or so, I can go about 1/3 of the distance more than just walking. And its a better workout. However, not all that many extra calories are burned and the body gets more efficient when doing the same exercise. So, I am going to start doing exercise tapes on my 2 down days and on my short run day I am going to do a short tape. I think if you start to mix it up, it keeps the body guessing and burning more calories. Just like your diet, the body gets used to it and gets efficient - even if you are a marathoner - at first you might burn X amount of calories but after awhile it will become X-2.

Also, I have found that I carry more of my fat in the middle. The rest of me is good but that part is not so good. Oh well. I am sure I would have had these problems anyway and at least now I am young enough to try to work hard at exercising them away.

[harrie]

I am a HUGE advocate of exercise. I believe it makes a big difference also in the tolerance of treatment, for recovery, and mental attitude.
Harrie

[Christine MH-UK]

Walking is very good for preserving bone mineral density and one trial has shown than it can make a big difference during chemo in this regard.

However, what percentage of primary breast cancer patients are told by their doctors to do weight-bearing exercise, even in the form of brisk walking?