Exercise helps cancer patients fight depression, fatigue

Regular exercise during breast cancer treatment can significantly help patients by lowering their depression and fatigue, and improving their quality of life. After studying 240 breast cancer patients, researchers at the University of Miami found that regular exercise reduced stress and fatigue. All participants had non-metastatic breast cancer and were admitted to group-based behavioral therapy sessions besides the medical treatments. The study, presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine's annual meeting in New Orleans, highlights that exercise may boost the effects of stress management therapies. The findings also demonstrated that more physical activity could improve breast cancer patients’ other daily personal and social functions. “Women who are physically active may also have more confidence in their own ability to continue with family-related, household, work-related or social activities, which bring meaning and satisfaction to their live,” said lead researcher Jamie Stagl. “This may lead to appraisals of lower fatigue, heightened quality of life and less depression.” Health experts generally recommend at least 20 minutes of daily exercise, but patients can boost their physical activity in levels that their condition allows.