One of the beauties of dance is that it doesn’t have to look a particular way. Whether we’re at a wedding or just doing the dishes at home, dancing is not limited to one type of environment. It brings us joy, but more than that, dance can be good for our health. For those who have undergone treatment for breast, gynecologic, or other types of cancer, dance may offer several benefits in survivorship.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Dance

Balance can be a challenge for some cancer survivors if they experience peripheral neuropathy, a condition where nerves are damaged that can cause numbness, tingling or “pins and needles” sensations, pain or weakness. Peripheral neuropathy most commonly occurs in the hands or feet.1 With this numbness or weakness, maintaining proper balance may be more difficult.
Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect from taxane-based chemotherapies, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel. For some individuals, peripheral neuropathy subsides after stopping the taxane-based chemo, but for others, the neuropathy may be a long-term or permanent medical condition.2

Some researchers are examining the benefits of dance – specifically tango – to address chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). According to one study, breast cancer survivors experiencing CIPN who participated in eight weeks of an adapted tango dance class twice weekly experienced improvements in dual-task function, or the ability to move and think simultaneously. Additionally, participants reported a decrease in peripheral neuropathy severity.3 A form of dance like tango can help individuals actively think about where they are placing their feet when going from one movement to the next.

Overall Benefits of Dance

Apart from the connection between dance and improvements in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, dance offers several benefits that promote health and wellbeing. Following cancer treatment and into survivorship, focusing on wellbeing is important. To list a few benefits of dance:

• It can help improve our cardiovascular health.4
• As a form of expression, dance may also help with reducing stress.
• As noted above, it can help with improving balance and intentionality in foot placement.
• There are many different types of dance to discover and try out. From Latin dances like salsa and bachata to hip-hop, contemporary or ballet, the possibilities are vast. If one type of dance doesn’t feel right for your body, there are many others to explore. Modifications are always available. Whether you want gentle movement or a quick step, dance can be adapted to your needs.
• For many, dance can be an enjoyable way to spend time with others. It promotes socialization, which also has benefits for our mental and emotional health.