Protective role of exercise on breast cancer-related osteoporosis in women undergoing aromatase inhibitors: A narrative review

Hormone therapy following surgery reduces the risk of breast cancer (BC) recurrence and progression ofhormone-sensitive BC, especially in postmenopausal women. Despite the antitumor efficacy of hormone therapy,particularly of aromatase inhibitors, they cause long-term side effects, mainly bone density reduction. Exercisecan slow the rate of bone loss, which reduces the risk of fractures from osteoporosis, and could be an integrativetreatment able to mitigate the BC treatment side effects positively impacting bone health. This narrative reviewaims to discuss studies on the effect of exercise on bone health in BC women undergoing aromatase inhibitors,highlighting the possible role of exercise as complementary to conventional therapies. Additionally, according tothe literature revision, exercise practical applications to improve bone health in these patients are summarized.