PICTURE: PEXELS/EXERCISE
Recovery from chemotherapy has its challenges, and the feared “brain fog” frequently lasts longer than anyone would prefer. Aerobic exercise, however, may be a surprise method to feel more focused and alert.
It’s not just about fitness for breast cancer survivors; it’s also about clearing the mind and increasing their lucidity when they incorporate movement, no matter how mild, into their daily routine.
The American Cancer Society states that chemo-brain, often known as “brain fog,” is the phrase used to describe the short- and long-term memory, concentration, and/or thinking impairments that many women who get chemotherapy endure. “In a recent clinical trial of women initiating chemotherapy for breast cancer, those who simultaneously started an aerobic exercise program self-reported greater improvements in cognitive function and quality of life compared with those receiving standard care.”
Author and medical doctor Elizabeth Salerno states, “Being physically active can help reduce fatigue, help with anxiety and depression, and it can improve physical function. Studies have found that women with breast cancer who engage in regular physical activity before their cancer diagnosis and after treatment are less likely to have their cancer come back or die than those who are inactive. Physical activity is also associated with a lower risk of 13 types of cancer.”
Healthcare professionals can help patients manage their symptoms during and after chemotherapy by encouraging them to increase their aerobic exercise in their daily routine. They can provide their patients with a proactive approach to aid in their recuperation and improve their quality of life by talking about the possible cognitive advantages of exercise in addition to its positive effects on physical and mental health, according to Jennifer Brunet, PhD, a professor in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa.
