New Study Reinforces Exercise as Vital Support During Breast Cancer Treatment
Stockholm, Sweden – Emerging research continues to solidify the critical role of physical activity in mitigating the debilitating side effects of breast cancer treatment and improving overall survival rates. Yvonne Wengström,a nurse,scientist,and vice chairman of the Cancer Foundation’s research committee,champions the integration of exercise into cancer care,citing recent international studies and the promising long-term results of the Optitrain program.
Wengström emphasizes the accessibility of beneficial exercise. “If people knew it and got that data, I think many would be physically active.For example, you can walk for half an hour five times a week. Ideally, you should go so fast that you get a little breathless and have a hard time talking. But all training is better than none.”
Her research focuses on improving quality of life for cancer patients, a outlook she believes is often underrepresented in the research landscape. “I can definitely help to raise awareness of research on living well as cancer. It is a slightly different perspective than the usual in the research world.”
Wengström acknowledges the challenges faced by nurses entering research, stating, “We nurses must always show twice that we are as much worth as a doctor as a researcher…Therefore, as a nurse and researcher, I want to be an ambassador and help more people do the same.” She highlights the importance of the Cancer Foundation’s investment in healthcare science research, specifically funding for studies on training, rehabilitation, nursing, and palliative care.
A recent five-year follow-up publication of the Optitrain program, available in Nature, further demonstrates the lasting benefits of structured exercise interventions for breast cancer patients.
Exercise Recommendations for Adults:
* Be physically active every day of the week.
* Aim for at least 2.5 to 5 hours of heart rate-enhancing physical activity per week.
* Combine fitness training and strength training for optimal results.
* Any physical activity is beneficial.
Wengström herself adheres to the World Health Institution’s guidelines, incorporating fitness, strength training, and yoga into her routine. She enjoys an active lifestyle, including sailing and spending time in Florida and the Stockholm archipelago. “I like when things happen. It gets too boring to be in one place.”
(Photos: albin Håkansson)
