Kenneth Gardner
OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY and a sedentary lifestyle are a few of the major factors that have been linked to the increased risk of breast cancer.
Physical exercise has been used quite successfully to counter the effects of overweight, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and breast cancer by extension. The transition from a sedentary to an active lifestyle has been quite successful in reducing overweight and obesity. The metabolic mechanisms through which exercise contributes to weight management include increased energy expenditure via increased resting metabolic rates. Exercise contributes to the caloric deficit of the dieting individual by increasing the amount of energy used up in the actual exercise. Exercise stimulates our resting metabolic rates, which is also increased due to an increase in our lean body mass which occurs at the expense of fats that are used to provide us with energy during the exercise routine.
EXERCISE INCREASES THERMIC EFFECT
Exercise before and after meals will increase the thermic effect of food above normal. The effects of physical exercise on metabolism can last for a number of hours after the exercise has been completed, thus adding to the caloric deficit. Physical exercise stimulates energy expenditure and fat oxidation for prolonged periods following the routine. With this improved efficiency in our metabolic activities, the development of obesity is less likely, likewise the reduction of cancer development.
The combination of exercise and a sensible diet produces the best long-term weight loss result. When exercise is combined with caloric restriction, the negative energy balance is much greater. This results in a more favourable body composition. An optimal body composition helps to maintain a more efficient organism that can resist the invasion of infected cells such as cancer cells. There is a wealth of research that has shown the positive relationship between increased physical activity and a reduction in the risk of breast cancer development. Regular physical exercise have been used both in the prevention and treatment mode of breast cancer by maintaining healthier body weight, increasing fat metabolism and reducing fat deposits in the body.
Oestrogen has been labelled as a cancer promoter and is linked to increased risk of breast cancer. Exercise helps post-menopausal women in weight loss and in the reduction of the amount of oestrogen circulating in their bodies thus minimising the chances of breast cancer development.
DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHY BONES
Exercise is critical to the development and maintenance of healthy bones. Bones are important contributors of white blood cells which are important parts of our immune system. T- cells are created in the bone marrow. Helper T-cells help other cells to destroy infectious organisms. Suppressor T- cells suppress the activities of other cells so they do not destroy normal tissue. Killer T- cells seek out and destroy abnormal or infected cells such as cancer cells. The functions of these cells are invaluable in providing us with a potent immune system. Likewise the contribution of physical exercise to the development and function of the bones is unquestionable. Bones that are well developed and well maintained are vital in providing our immune system with T-cells that militate the development of cancer cells.
Managing breast cancer requires learning about and recognising the signs and symptoms of the disease. Risk factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise and poor weight management require making responsible decisions. The habits that you develop and the decisions you make will largely determine the quality of your life. An exercise prescription that reflects sound, prudent principles for the appreciation of specific individual differences is now an important variable in the formula for cancer management.
Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at the G. C, Foster College of Physical Education; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
