I’m very excited to be able to share with you the perspective of role of exercise and diet during the treatment of breast cancer.  Pamela J. Ginsberg, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist specializing in women’s health and wellness and psycho-oncology, has been kind enough to share her thoughts and knowledge on the topic.  Pamela Ginsberg has been helping women with cancer and other health issues for over 20 years and operates out of Doylestown, Bucks County.  Enjoy!

 

The Role of Exercise & Diet in Breast Cancer Treatment

 

 Pamela Ginsberg Guest Blog Post

 

Everybody knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This one is hard to miss….there are pink ribbons everywhere from the top of the PECO building in Philadelphia to the players in the NFL.  But what does this mean for you?  What do women really need to be aware of?

 

Breast cancer still affects one in eight women in this country.  Knowing your personal risk factors is very important.  Your family’s history of breast and ovarian cancer, your ethnic background, your race, are all important pieces of information to know regarding risk factors.

 

It is also important to understand how exercise and diet play a part in the risk of breast cancer and the treatment.  Women who are overweight are at greater risk, as are women whose diet is high in fat and sugar.  Women who drink alcohol in excess are also at greater risk.  Exercise and good nutrition may lower your risk in several ways.  Not only does exercise keep the body healthier and therefore more likely to have a stronger immune system, in also regulates cortisol, the stress hormone, which has been linked to a variety of illnesses.  If you are diagnosed with cancer, those who exercise before, and even during, treatment seem to have better outcomes and better tolerance for treatment.  Keeping your body as strong and healthy as possible gives you a better chance when fighting a condition as serious as cancer.

 

Exercise has also been shown over and over again to reduce stress.  When fighting cancer, stress reduction is so important to help the body’s immune system do its job.  Exercise is a natural anti-depressant, shown to be more effective at regulating serotonin, one of the brain’s neurotransmitters associated with depression and anxiety, than anti-depressant medications.

 

If you are in treatment for breast cancer, talk with your trainer about an exercise program that works for you and that you can maintain while your body fights this disease.  Talk about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.  There is so much you can do to keep yourself healthy and happy.

 

And, don’t forget your mammograms!!!  Talk with your healthcare provider about when you should get one.

 

Happy October!

 

 

Brent

Brent

President, Personal Training Manager at Body By Brent LLC
Brent
Brent
Brent