Study Finds Exercise Improves Joint Pain in Women Taking Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer

Dawn L. Hershman, MDOne of the main reasons that women have low quality of life while taking hormonal therapy is their side effects, says Dawn Hershman, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology and leader of the breast cancer program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.

While taking aromatase inhibitors (such as exemestane), the most common side effect is joint pain. Aromatase inhibitors block the natural production of estrogen in the body, reducing the amount of estrogen that is available to fuel the growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.  No medical therapies have been shown to relieve joint pain in women taking these medicines. Now, the HOPE study has found that exercise therapy improves joint pain by 30%.

Listen to Dr. Hershman explain the findings in a video available at OncLive.com.