After breast cancer surgery, many women are told to limit how much — and how soon — they exercise.
“Traditional guidelines question how soon women treated for breast cancer can exercise and how much weight they can safely lift, particularly in mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection patients who have had extensive surgery,” said Dr. Colin Champ, an associate professor at Allegheny Health Network in Wexford, Pennsylvania, and a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
But new research presented Friday in Seattle at a meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons suggests that guidance may be overly cautious.
In this study, nearly 200 recent breast cancer survivors completed a three-month, high-intensity resistance training program. All had undergone lumpectomy, mastectomy, or lymph node removal.
The result: Participants improved strength, mobility, balance, and muscle mass, supporting a faster return to everyday activities.
And this wasn’t light training.
Within weeks, many participants were lifting 100 pounds. By the end, some reached 200.
Improvements were consistent across all surgery types, even among those who had more extensive procedures.
“We believe that the benefits of high-level exercise and resistance training and the ability of breast cancer survivors to perform well should not be underestimated,” Champ said.
He added that researchers strongly believe that “exercise should be not only a component of survivorship, but part of the standard of care.”
Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Black women can face unique challenges when it comes to breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. While white women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer overall, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of disease, especially triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which can be much harder to treat and more likely to return.
Studies also show that Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than women from other racial and ethnic groups.
Several factors can contribute to these disparities, including:
Recovery after surgery can also be more difficult when patients do not have access to survivorship programs, physical therapy, or safe spaces for exercise and rehabilitation. This is why research that explores ways to improve long-term recovery is so important — particularly for Black breast cancer survivors.
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Although exercise is not a cure for breast cancer, growing evidence suggests that staying physically active after treatment may help improve long-term outcomes for some survivors.
Engaging in regular exercise may:
In addition, research has shown that physically active breast cancer survivors may have a lower risk of recurrence and improved overall survival compared to those who remain inactive.
For Black women in particular, engaging in regular physical activity can be especially important, as they are more likely to experience obesity and other health conditions that can shape breast cancer outcomes.
Any exercises performed after breast cancer surgery should be gradual, individualized, and approved by your healthcare provider. While older recommendations often encouraged patients to avoid strenuous movement, newer research suggests that carefully supervised exercise may actually improve recovery.
Examples of safe exercises after surgery include:
As you exercise, it’s important to pay close attention to swelling, pain, fatigue, or signs of lymphedema, a condition that can cause swelling in the arms after lymph node removal.
Working with a physical therapist or cancer rehabilitation specialist who can help create a safe exercise plan can greatly benefit many survivors.
RELATED: Stretches to Help With Recovery After Breast Cancer Surgery
New research shows that exercise after breast cancer surgery may be safer — and possibly beneficial — than previously believed. For Black women, who continue to face significant disparities in breast cancer outcomes and survivorship care, improving recovery support is especially important.
Just small amounts of movement may help improve mobility, strength, mental health, and overall quality of life after treatment. It’s best to talk with your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen.
More information
The American Cancer Society has more on exercises after breast cancer surgery. SOURCE: HealthDay TV, May 1, 2026
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