A recent clinical trial indicates that structured exercise programs can significantly benefit women with advanced breast cancer. The study reveals that participants experienced improved muscle mass and strength, which can enhance their ability to tolerate cancer treatments and improve overall health outcomes.
Researchers at the Advanced Breast Cancer Eighth International Consensus Conference presented findings showing that women with stage 4 breast cancer who engaged in a supervised exercise regimen gained nearly 2 pounds of muscle mass within the first three months. In contrast, a control group that did not participate in exercise classes showed no such gains. After six months, the exercise group maintained nearly 1 pound of additional muscle mass compared to their counterparts.
Anne May, a professor of clinical epidemiology of cancer, emphasized the significance of these results. She stated, “Lean body mass is linked to better treatment tolerance, prognosis, and overall health, and increased muscle strength correlates with improved quality of life and lower mortality risk.” May advocates for the inclusion of supervised exercise, particularly programs with a resistance training component, as a standard part of cancer care.
The study involved 357 patients between 2019 and 2022 across various hospitals in Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Participants were divided into two groups: one followed a nine-month exercise program that included aerobic, strength, and balance training, while the other did not engage in any structured exercise. The program involved working with a trainer twice a week for six months, followed by a combination of supervised and unsupervised sessions in the final three months.
Improved physical performance was a notable outcome of the study. May reported significant enhancements in balance and muscle strength at both the three and six-month marks. This improvement is particularly important as 74% of the participants had cancer that had metastasized to their bones, increasing their risk of balance issues. May noted, “Low muscle mass and strength are associated with balance problems, which can be exacerbated further by therapy-induced damage to the nerves in hands and feet.”
One patient’s experience highlighted the practical benefits of the exercise program. Initially unable to get on and off a bus due to balance difficulties, she regained her mobility after participating in the supervised exercise group, allowing her to visit the city center and library again.
The findings were presented on November 6, 2025, at the Lisbon conference. The Advanced Breast Cancer Global Alliance, which organized the event, is set to launch a Physical Activity Resource Hub in early 2026. This online platform will provide videos, exercise guides, and links to resources tailored for patients at various fitness levels.
Eva Schumacher-Wulf, an advanced breast cancer patient and editor-in-chief of the German cancer magazine Mamma Mia!, stated, “We all know how important exercise is for quality of life and perhaps even prognosis. However, people with advanced cancer have special needs, and not every exercise program is feasible or suitable.” Schumacher-Wulf is part of the working group developing the exercise hub, emphasizing the importance of targeted exercise programs for these patients.
The integration of exercise into cancer care represents a promising avenue for improving the quality of life and health outcomes for women facing advanced breast cancer.
