Exercise as medicine: Study finds it helps women tolerate side effects of breast cancer drugs

SAN ANTONIO – Exercise might help women beat breast cancer. A study finds it can ease the achy joints and muscle pain that lead many patients to quit taking medicines that treat the disease and lower the risk of a recurrence.

The study involved 121 women on aromatase (uh-ROAM-uh-TACE) inhibitors. The estrogen-blocking pills are recommended for five years after initial breast cancer treatment for hormone-driven tumors, the most common type.

Joint pain is the top reason women quit taking the drugs, but Boston researchers found exercise cut this problem and helped women lose weight.

The study was discussed Thursday at a cancer conference in San Antonio.

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Marilynn Marchione

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