Exercise and Cancer

Bob and I got an email from someone who came across our blog and wanted to share one of her articles about how exercise can impact someone going through cancer treatments.  Having been through all of that myself, I know that my job as a contractor kept me physically active throughout the process and it made a positive difference in not only my energy levels, but in my emotional state.

So here's a little something from Melanie Bowen who writes for www.mesothelioma.com:

Fitness Can Help Cancer Patients Heal Faster and Feel Better!

When people are diagnosed with any form of cancer, including rare forms such as mesothelioma, many become depressed, and most often are in shock. At first, many don’t know what to do or where to start. Exercise may be the last thing on a cancer patient’s mind, but it is one of the first lines of defense in cancer treatment. Exercise helps to remove toxins and free radicals from the body to help the immune system fight foreign bodies such as cancer. People who don’t exercise will have a higher risk of complications in terms of healing from the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Cancer and fitness go hand-in-hand as long as there are no extenuating circumstances such as anemia. Anemia may inhibit some cancer patients from exercising. Check with your doctor to confirm that there are no extenuating circumstances so you may receive the following benefits from exercising.

1. Build Your Immune System With Exercise
Physical activity can make immune systems stronger by fighting free radicals in the body. The body will heal faster when the immune system is strong. When patients receive radiation and chemotherapy, the body will become weaker so therefore even the smallest amount of exercise could help a patient bounce back quicker. Patients with strong immune systems also have a higher chance of fighting the return of cancer. Sedentary patients typically have a higher risk of recurrence because their immune systems tend to be weaker.

 

2. A Patient’s Prognosis Can Improve With Exercise
Studies have shown that patients who engage in physical activity for 30 minutes or more on a regular basis will improve their prognosis significantly. Research shows that exercise decreases not only the risk for recurrence of cancer, but also the risk of developing another life threatening disease such as diabetes or heart disease.

 

3. Energy Balance is Achieved Through Physical Activity
Energy balance is necessary for cancer patients to function throughout the day. Many cancer patients often become fatigued during treatment, and exercise is one way to make them feel more energized. Exercise also releases endorphins that keep the mood elevated, which is necessary in the proper healing of cancer patients. The emotional benefits of exercising are an essential piece of the healing process, and the endorphins from working out will help throughout your battle.

 

Engage in Physical Activity as Much as Possible
Because of the studies done on cancer treatment and fitness, many people are improving their health and living longer after cancer treatment is complete. Many physicians are recommending exercise for other health conditions and are obtaining favorable outcomes.  If you are not feeling motivated, talk to your doctor or a support group to help find your way. Some patients even set a goal such as a cancer walk or attending a number of group fitness classes to keep moving forward. No matter what your exercise choices are, they will make you feel better and more energetic!