A recent clinical trial has revealed that exercise significantly benefits women with advanced breast cancer, enhancing their ability to endure treatment and manage the disease. The study found that participants who engaged in a structured exercise program gained nearly 2 pounds of muscle mass within the first three months, compared to a control group that did not participate in any exercise.
The research involved 357 women diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, recruited between 2019 and 2022 from hospitals across Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Half of the participants were enrolled in a nine-month exercise regimen that included aerobic, strength, and balance training. A trainer guided them through sessions twice a week for the first six months; the following three months included one supervised session and one unsupervised.
According to Anne May, a professor of clinical epidemiology of cancer, these results underscore the importance of maintaining lean body mass, which correlates with improved treatment tolerance, better prognosis, and enhanced overall health. “Increased muscle strength has been linked to improved quality of life and lower mortality risk,” May stated, emphasizing the need for supervised exercise programs to be integrated into standard cancer care.
The study highlighted the physical performance improvements observed at both three and six months. Participants demonstrated significant gains in balance and muscle strength, critical factors for patients, as 74% had cancer that had metastasized to their bones. May noted that low muscle mass and strength can lead to balance issues, which may be worsened by treatment-related nerve damage.
One participant’s experience illustrated the program’s transformative impact. Initially unable to board a bus due to balance problems, she regained her mobility after joining the supervised exercise group. “Now she can use the bus again, allowing her to visit the city center and the library,” May reported.
May presented these findings on November 6, 2025, at the Advanced Breast Cancer Eighth International Consensus Conference in Lisbon. The Advanced Breast Cancer Global Alliance, which organized the conference, plans to launch a Physical Activity Resource Hub in early 2026. This online platform will offer exercise videos, guides, and links to resources tailored to patients at various fitness levels and stages of breast cancer.
Eva Schumacher-Wulf, an advanced breast cancer patient and editor-in-chief of the German cancer magazine Mamma Mia!, reinforced the necessity of targeted exercise programs. “People with advanced cancer have special needs, and not every exercise program is feasible or suitable,” she stated. Schumacher-Wulf is actively involved in developing the exercise hub through the ABC Global Alliance.
The study’s findings contribute to a growing recognition of exercise’s vital role in cancer care, particularly for patients facing the challenges of advanced disease. As research continues to explore this relationship, the push for integrating tailored exercise programs into treatment plans for cancer patients is gaining momentum.
