Exercise program supports better attention and slows biological aging in breast cancer survivors

One in three breast cancer survivors experience cognitive problems following treatment, including difficulties with attention, memory, and processing speed. These issues can persist post-treatment and impact everyday activities and quality of life. A recent study from the University of California San Diego found that a 12-month exercise program improved attention and memory among breast cancer survivors.

The randomized clinical trial, involving 253 participants who had completed active treatment and reported low physical activity and cognitive difficulties, assigned participants to either an exercise program or a health and wellness program. The exercise group used fitness trackers to monitor activity and received individualized coaching to achieve 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week.

Participants in the exercise group showed greater improvements in attention at six and 12 months, and greater improvement in memory at six months. However, the differences between groups were not significant at 12 months, and there were no significant differences in executive function. The exercise group also exhibited slower rates of epigenetic aging over the 12-month study compared to the health and wellness group.

These findings suggest that exercise may help protect brain function after cancer treatment by slowing biological aging and improving cognitive performance. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, determine the optimal amount of activity, and understand the underlying mechanisms.