Running after surgery

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hello!

I am recovering really well from my lumpectomy and sentinel node surgery and am really active with my walking. Doing 6-7 miles a day on average. I have always been active with walking, running and weights before my cancer diagnosis and managed to keep a lot of this up through my chemotherapy. My question is, can I now resume running? I am now 4 weeks post surgery and feeling ready for more cardio than walking. I am hoping to be able to compete in a race in 8 weeks time! The area is obviously a little tender still but I’m hoping with a very supportive sports bra (or 2!) it will minimise the bounce? I’m not a fast runner and will definitely take it easy to begin with. Just wondering if anyone else has been given advice with this from their medical team. Thanks

2

I think it depends on how you feel and your medical team.

I had a double mastectomy and SLNB in July and got the all clear to run at day 10 after surgery. I went right back to run walking but very quickly built back up to where I was before.

Like you, I was walking three miles a couple of days post op and 6-8 miles within a week (lots of dogs to walk).

I was also back in gym doing strength training after a week, starting with just legs and using bands for arms and then light weights and back to usual routine. My consultant and physio knew from the start how my main aim was to get back my fitness really quickly (hence no recon for me).

Six months on and I have never been this fit!
Good luck with your recovery xx

3

Hi @footie18

I was told two weeks after lumpectomy would be okay. I was keen to get back to the gym and running so was back on the treadmill incline walking after a week, then built up to gentle jogging as my legs were itching to get moving. Running after about 2.5 weeks with the aid of my trusty Shock Absorber Ultimate Run bras which are fantastic and hold everything in place (the padded ones, the others are rubbish!). I also went back to strength training about that time starting with the lightest weights and building back up to my usual weights and now continuing to gradually increase. Like @lynnc123 I’ve also never felt fitter!

Good luck with your race! x

4

I wasn’t given any advice - but deliberately didn’t ask the question as I feared an overly cautious response from someone who didn’t see how important running is to a runner. I waited until I thought I was well healed and all the glue had dropped off. I then used 2 sports bras. A ShockAbsorber D+ at the bottom as these have good coverage, and a ShockAbsorber MultiActive over the top, to provide more compression. This worked well.

5

I was super fit before my diagnosis . I started running about 8 weeks after my lumpectomy , during my radiotherapy.
I started weigh lifting just 6 months after my op. I should have started earlier but I was paranoid about lymphoedema .

6

I was half way through C25K when I found my lump and got diagnosed. Finished it the night before surgery - determined, helped me to deal. Ran up a steep hill 9 days later, just because I felt like it. I’m fairly big chested which makes it less comfortable, however, found an elasticated velcro band for post surgery on Amazon was useful to strap myself down. Was back at the gym 2 weeks after but did half on treadmill and half on cross trainer and built up. Listen to your body, if it gets uncomfortable, stop and crosstrain instead.

7

Hi footie18

Thanks for posting.

Many people contact us to ask when they can resume physical activity such as running following treatment for breast cancer.

As the others here have said, it has many benefits and can help you cope with both the physical and emotional effects of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Returning to exercise when your feel your body is ready is important. Often people who have been used to undertaking physical activity regularly like you, recognise this more easily than those who haven’t. It’s still important to build up the exercise slowly though and listen to your body so you can take a step back when necessary. It’s also important to wear suitable support by way of a good sports bra too as you and others have mentioned.

You don’t say whether you have been back to your surgeon to get the results of your surgery yet and been able to ask them about this. We’d always suggest you check with your team about resuming exercise since everyone’s situation is different.

You might find our Facebook live session from last year on Exercise interventions for people with breast cancer of interest to watch.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.

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Our usual opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and 9am -1pm on Saturday.

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Best wishes

Catherine

Breast Care Nurse

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