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For many women, breast cancer treatment can feel like an uphill climb, not only emotionally, but physically. Chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy often bring side effects like muscle weakness, fatigue, and weight changes. But here’s some good news: strength training can help rebuild what cancer tries to take away, strength, confidence, and control.
Why Strength Training Matters After Breast Cancer
After treatment, the body undergoes significant changes. Muscle mass may decrease, bones can become weaker, and fatigue may linger long after therapy ends. Strength training, using light weights, resistance bands, or even your own body weight, helps reverse these effects in safe, powerful ways.
A study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship found that women who engaged in regular resistance training improved their muscle strength, reduced body fat, and reported higher energy levels. Beyond the physical benefits, many participants described feeling more confident and “reconnected” with their bodies.
This type of exercise also supports bone health, which is especially important for women taking hormone-suppressing medications that can lead to bone loss. By strengthening muscles and bones together, women reduce their risk of fractures and improve stability as they age.
More Than Just Physical Strength
The benefits of strength training go far beyond stronger arms or legs. It’s a form of empowerment, a reminder of resilience. Lifting weights, no matter how light, sends a powerful message: I am rebuilding.
Regular strength training can help:
Combat fatigue: Movement increases oxygen flow and energy production.
Improve mood: Lifting triggers the release of endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones that lift spirits.
Reduce recurrence risk: Research shows that regular physical activity, including resistance training, can lower the risk of breast cancer returning.
And the best part? You don’t need a gym. Squats, wall push-ups, or resistance band pulls at home can make a real difference. Gently start with MyHealthCop’s Ai personal fitness trianer, Taliza AI
Starting Safely
If you’re recovering from treatment, start small. Begin with light resistance and focus on form. Gradually increase the intensity as your body adapts. Working with a physiotherapist or a certified cancer exercise specialist can help you build a safe, personalized plan.
Remember, rest and recovery are part of the process. The goal isn’t to push hard, but to grow stronger, steadily, safely, and confidently.
What You Should Know
Breast cancer may change your body, but it doesn’t define your strength. Through resistance training, you’re not just building muscle, you’re rebuilding your power, reclaiming your body, and reshaping your story.
Each lift is a quiet declaration of courage, proof that healing isn’t only about surviving, it’s about growing stronger after the storm.
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Baah Sekyere Agyekum
Myhealthcop physical activity expert
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