Is Cold Plunging Safe During Breast Cancer Treatment?

Online, cold plunging is often framed as a powerful wellness and recovery tool. Athletes, celebrities, and wellness influencers frequently claim that cold exposure can help:

• Reduce inflammation
• Improve circulation
• Increase energy and focus
• Boost mood and mental clarity
• Reduce soreness and aid recovery
• Build resilience

In online breast cancer communities, some people tout cold plunging as a way to:

• Combat fatigue or low energy
• Manage stress and anxiety
• Regain a sense of control
• “Reset” the body after treatment
  

Supporters often share that they feel mentally refreshed and emotionally uplifted after cold plunging. At the same time, many acknowledge that the extreme cold can feel intense, uncomfortable, or unrealistic, particularly during active breast cancer treatment or recovery from surgery.

Most research on cold plunging focuses on workout recovery and general wellness, not breast cancer care.

As a result, major organizations such as the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute do not currently include cold plunging as part of standard breast cancer recovery or supportive care guidelines.

Safety Concerns About Cold Plunging

There are important safety considerations, particularly if you’re undergoing or recovering from breast cancer treatment.

• Trigger a rapid increase in heart rate
• Spike your blood pressure
• Activate your fight-or-flight response

“Although we do not have strong data for the health benefits of cold plunges, they have become popular,” says Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Breast Cancer and chief of breast medical oncology at Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, Connecticut.

If you want to try cold plunging, despite the lack of evidence to support its use in breast cancer, be sure to get the green light from your oncology team first. Dr. Lustberg recommends the following precautions:

• Be mindful if you have heart issues. “The low temperatures in cold plunges can cause blood vessel constriction and blood pressure changes,” she says, adding that this can be a concern particularly if you have arrhythmia or other heart issues.
• Practice caution if you have lymphedema. “We don’t know how extreme temperatures can impact this condition, so caution is advised,” says Lustberg.
• Be aware of infection risk. “If the cold plunge is communal, there is a concern for increased infections in people who are immunocompromised due to chemo,” she says.

Cold plunging may be a popular wellness trend, but there’s no clinical evidence to support its use for breast cancer treatment and recovery. And in some cases, it can do more harm than good.

While it’s not universally dangerous, cold plunging may introduce unnecessary stress during a period when your body is already dealing with significant treatment-related strain. Its impact on your heart, immunity, and postsurgical sensitivity all raise questions about whether extreme cold exposure is a safe addition to your breast cancer treatment plan.

If you’re still interested in trying cold plunging during or after breast cancer treatment, remember to get approval from your oncology team first.