I came across this article and it really hit home for me the importance of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. In addition, according to this article, we could be seeing a significant shift in how doctors are advising patients to deal with their cancer diagnosis.
Traditionally, doctors have advised their patients undergoing cancer therapy to rest and 'save their energy'. However, the evidence is quickly piling up that in fact the thing they should be doing is staying active and exercising! More and more research is coming to light that show exercise is far more beneficial to a cancer patient than rest. So much so, the American College of Sports Medicine is recommending a new guideline; "Cancer patients and survivors should strive to get the same amount of exercise recommended for everyone else, about 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Resistance training and stretching also are recommended."
Doctors do understand that it may not always be possible for a cancer patient undergoing therapy to keep up with non-cancer patients, but the idea is to maintain a certain level of activity throughout treatment. Important to note also is that different patients may have to customize their exercise plan according to their cancer and therapy. For instance, some forms of cancer therapy can make a patient's bones brittle, so no impact or low impact exercise is best for them. In other cases, therapy can weaken a person's immune system so these patient's should probably avoid the busy environment of a gym.
"Evidence is promising that exercise may make cancer treatment more effective," said Kathryn Schmitz, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and a researcher at the university's Abramson Cancer Center.
For example, breast cancer patients doing resistance training were better able to take a full dose of chemotherapy, rather than having to cut the treatment short due to the detrimental effects of chemo on the body.
Other benefits of exercise included;
Reduced Fatigue: I know this sounds counter intuitive but it's not. Aerobic activity has been shown to lessen the need for drugs to help increase production of red blood cells due to chemo damage. ( Note: the loss of red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues is a big reason why cancer patients feel tired in the first place)
Reduce Loss of Muscle and Bone Mass: A lot of cancer therapy can contribute to the loss of muscle and bone mass. Both undesirable if a patients want to feel strong and lively. In addition, both muscles and bones can act as storage for important minerals and nutrients the body can use.
Improve Quality of Life: This benefit is important not to overlook. Many cancer patients report feeling helpless and overwhelmed with their diagnosis. Exercise can help patients cope better. Being active and working out can help these patients feel better emotionally, an important component of a better treatment outcome.
I realize that many patients may not have the energy to exercise while undergoing cancer therapy but it doesn't have to be a lot. You can always start small and gradually work your way up. Exercise and activity should be an important part of anyone's life regardless if they are battling a serious illness or not.
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