After other breast cancer treatments and while exercise

 

After other breast cancer treatments and while exercise

Always acquire your doctor's approval before beginning an exercise regimen during or after radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, or immunotherapy. Tell your doctor about the exercises you intend to do and inquire about any potential restrictions.

Precautions

Increased risk of infection: Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy may increase your risk of infection. It's crucial to fully wash your hands after using any shared equipment (barbells, dumbbells, and treadmills). Check your body for cuts and blisters, paying special attention to your hands and feet, so you can apply antibiotic ointment to any that you detect.

Immune system compromise: Immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy can all compromise your immune system. Avoid going to public gyms, yoga studios, and other public locations until your white blood cell count is at a safe level if it is low (less than 3,500 white blood cells per microliter of blood).

Neuropathy: The broad name for numbness, pain, and tingling brought on by damage to the nerves in the hands and feet is neuropathy, and certain chemotherapy, targeted treatment, and immunotherapy medications can cause it (peripheral nerves). Take precautions to lessen your chance of falling or hurting yourself if you have neuropathy. When you exercise, it can be beneficial to have a partner or spotter by your side.

Skin irritation: Radiation therapy can irritate the skin, and swimming in chlorinated water might exacerbate this irritability. Therefore, until your skin recovers, you might wish to avoid the pool.

Higher chance of breaking a bone: Some drugs used in chemotherapy and hormone therapy can make you more likely to break a bone. Additionally, you may be more likely to shatter a bone if you're getting therapy for breast cancer that has spread to your bones. You might need to scale back on your workouts' duration and intensity. You might want to discuss how severe and how long your workouts should be with a qualified trainer who has knowledge of working with clients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Heart issues: Ask your doctor or cardiologist what kind of activity changes, if any, are appropriate for you if you're receiving chemotherapy or a targeted therapy drug that could harm your heart. Asking about the appropriate level of intensity for your workouts is another smart move. A day or two after receiving certain chemotherapy medications, your heart may beat erratically. Therefore, it makes sense to skip your workout the day after your chemotherapy treatment and keep the intensity moderate for the next two days.

Dizziness or balance issues: Some medications used in hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy might cause dizziness. Make sure to take safety measures to avoid falling and hurting yourself. Wearing supportive athletic shoes, exercising on a mat that is padded, and working out with a partner or spotter are all recommendations.