Breast Cancer Awareness Month: How Exercise Can Make A Difference

Every October, people around the world focus on raising awareness about breast cancer. It’s a time to learn more about the disease and find ways to support those affected. While breast cancer can feel like a big, scary topic, there are things we can all do to help—and one of those things is exercise!

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer happens when certain cells in the breast grow in a way they shouldn’t. These cells can form a lump called a tumour, and sometimes they can spread to other parts of the body. It mostly affects women, but men can get it too, even though it’s less common.

The good news is that scientists and doctors are always learning more about how to prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer. And one thing they’ve discovered is that exercise plays an important role in keeping our bodies healthy!

Why Exercise Helps

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body strong and healthy. You might already know that it helps your heart, muscles, and even your brain. But did you know that it can also help protect against diseases like breast cancer?

Here’s how:

1. Keeping Your Body in Balance: When we exercise, our bodies burn energy and break down sugar. This helps keep things like our blood sugar and hormones in balance. Sometimes, having too much of certain hormones can increase the risk of cancer. By staying active, we help our bodies stay balanced and lower the chances of problems like breast cancer.

2. Boosting the Immune System: Our immune system is like the body’s superhero squad. It fights off infections and helps protect us from things like cancer. Exercise makes our immune system stronger, so it’s ready to battle any bad cells before they cause harm.

3. Managing Weight: Staying at a healthy weight is important for overall health, including reducing the risk of breast cancer. When we exercise regularly, we burn calories, build muscle, and stay fit. All of this helps us keep our weight in check, which is another way to lower the chances of getting breast cancer.

4. Reducing Inflammation: Inflammation is when parts of the body get swollen, red, or painful. While inflammation can happen when we’re sick or injured, too much inflammation for too long can increase the risk of diseases like cancer. Exercise reduces inflammation and helps keep our bodies running smoothly.

5. Helping During Recovery: For people who have had a recent diagnosis or have been treated for breast cancer, exercise can help them feel better and recover faster. It improves their strength, energy, and mood. Even gentle activities, like walking or yoga, can make a big difference during the recovery process.

Exercise Ideas for Everyone

You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Here are some fun and simple ways you can stay active:

-Walking or Jogging: Go for a walk or jog in the park with your family or friends. It’s a great way to stay fit while enjoying the outdoors.
-Dancing: Put on your favourite music, dance around the house or join a Zumba class. It’s fun, and it gets your heart pumping.
-Bike Riding: Riding a bike is not only great exercise, but it’s also a fun way to explore your local area. If you don't want to explore the outdoors, joining an indoor cycling class can do the trick too!
-Playing Sport: Whether it’s football, basketball, or even just playing catch, sports-related activities keep you active and moving, while having fun.
-Stretching and Yoga: Stretching or practising yoga can help with flexibility and relaxation. Plus, it’s something you can do anytime, anywhere.

Whether you’re already active or just starting, every bit of exercise helps keep your body healthy. Not only does it help protect against breast cancer, but it also makes you feel good and boosts your energy. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to get moving—not just for themselves but for the people they love.

So, let’s all get active and take small steps toward a healthier future together!