Description:
Lifestyle changes--especially exercise--can have a profound impact on a woman's risk of developing breast cancer and her chances of survival, say the authors of Breast Fitness, all of whom are breast-cancer specialists. Obese women have almost twice the risk of getting breast cancer after menopause as thin women. At any age, overweight women are at twice the risk compared to thinner women of not surviving for 5 or 10 years after diagnosis. After breast surgery, exercise helps women rehabilitate physically and emotionally. The authors give the facts about breast cancer, argue the merits of exercise and dietary changes, and suggest exercise and nutrition guidelines to fit various needs. For example, Breast Fitness illustrates some gentle exercises to help you regain motion and strength in your arm and shoulder after breast surgery, and tips for safe exercising during cancer treatment. A motivating section of this book is the description of Team Survivor--a triathlon conditioning program for women with a past or present diagnosis of breast cancer--with stories from 21 of the participants. Weekly supervised exercise sessions, educational forums, and activities from walking to mountain climbing help women "benefit and develop both physically and emotionally, while proceeding at an individual pace." The 21 women's stories are always inspiring (38-year-old Vibeke: "I am a true believer that keeping up my exercise with healthy eating habits will allow me to see my grandchildren one day") and sometimes humorous (Bonnie's prosthesis developed a hole during a long-distance bike ride, so she patched it with her tire patch kit!). The reader starts out admiring the women in the stories, and gradually realizes, "I can do this, too!" The last section of the book presents specific, detailed recommendations for starting your own exercise program, including figuring out the right intensity, choosing activities, setting goals, and overcoming roadblocks. The aim of Breast Fitness is to help motivate and educate women to fight breast cancer with exercise, nutrition, and other lifestyle changes. The authors cite many studies that support their advice. If you have breast cancer, this book will help you take control of your life and health. --Joan Price
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