The Cancer Gym - Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Survivors
““Only one-in-ten of those diagnosed with cancer will exercise enough during and after their treatment.””
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
Video Source: 9 News Melbourne
Cancer is becoming increasingly prevalent. A study published in the British Journal of Cancer, in 2015, claimed that 1-in-2 people born after 1960 will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives in the UK - for those born before 1960 the lifetime risk is 1-in-3.
Lifetime risk: 1-in-2 UK people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Physical Activity and Cancer Prevention
There is overwhelming evidence that regular exercise and physical activity, meeting the public health recommendations can reduce your risk of several types of cancer, especially strong evidence exists in the case of breast, lung, endometrial, bladder, oesophageal, stomach, kidney, pancreatic, colon, prostate, liver, myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
A recent 2019 study entitled “Amount and Intensity of Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Lower Cancer Risk” published by the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests the more you exercise, the more you reduce your cancer risk.
But what about the role of exercise if you currently are dealing with cancer? Can exercise and increasing levels of physical activity be healthful? Can exercise help with fatigue?
Physical Activity FOR Cancer TREATMENT
Only one-in-ten of those diagnosed with cancer will exercise enough during and after their treatment, even though cancer patients would undoubtedly benefit from being physically active.
Exercise is increasingly being used as an adjunct treatment option for those with cancer, alongside surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy with positive results.
Leading the way is the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, which launched a position statement on the role of exercise in cancer care in October 2019. Recommending exercise therapy for all cancer patients.
Based on this strategic approach to cancer care; cancer patients in Melbourne, Australia (see video above) are prescribed hospital gym sessions mid-treatment to improve their recovery.
This hospital setting is referred to as an “oncology gym” and is explicitly geared towards cancer patients. Hopefully this will become the norm in cancer wards around the world as part of standard care.
Related: Movement is Medicine
RECOMMENDED FOR ALL
This free and innovative program in Melbourne is helping patients get stronger, reduce fatigue and there is evidence it is safe and recommended for ALL patients with cancer. They can also experience fewer side-effects from treatment are more likely to stay in cancer remission and are less likely to die from their cancer.
“Cancer patients who exercise regularly experience fewer and less severe side effects from treatments. They also have a lower relative risk of cancer recurrence and a lower relative risk of dying from their cancer.
If the effects of exercise could be encapsulated in a pill, it would be prescribed to every cancer patient worldwide and viewed as a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. If we had a pill called exercise it would be demanded by cancer patients, prescribed by every cancer specialist, and subsidised by government.”
— Prue Cormie, Chair of the Exercise and Cancer Group, Clinical Oncology Society of Australia
In the UK, newly-diagnosed cancer patients are being offered a mix of high intensity cardio workouts and strength-based training before they start cancer treatment to help boost the speed of recovery. The aim is to get people referred to a prehab fitness programme 48-hours after diagnosis.
A 2019 report examined studies based on the role of exercise in the treatment of cancer, with physical activity being quantified as at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three days per week. There was strong evidence that exercise could:
Reduce fatigue
Reduce anxiety
Reduce symptoms of depression
Reduce inflammation
Improve function
Improve quality of life
EXERCISE BENEFIT FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued, according to researchers.
To study how exercise impacts cancer patients Dr Eleanor Walker and her colleagues at Henry Ford’s Josephine Ford Cancer Center developed a unique programme called ExCITE (Exercise and Cancer Integrative Therapies and Education) in Michigan, USA. This program developed in conjunction with the Henry Ford Heart & Vascular Institute develops individualised exercise programmes for cancer patients.
WHAT IF I DON’T FEEL UP TO IT?
Don't become disheartened, if it’s not possible for you to meet the minimum recommendations for physical activity. Every bit of movement helps and it doesn’t have to be exercise, or take place in a gym - the right type of incidental movement works too!
“Exercise? I can barely get out of bed. Are you serious?”
Movement may well be medicine although getting started, especially if you're coping with cancer treatment and fatigue, can seem impossible and too much of a challenge. However, during your worst days, even if couch-bound or bed-ridden there are still things you can do. Aim for some light movements and activities to keep the blood flowing, to keep the mind engaged and to lift your spirits. The endorphins you can get from physical activity are a powerful pain reliever, they improve the immune response and are a great way to reduce stress.
If you are concerned about post-surgery complications such as lymphedema be aware that research suggests exercise, especially slow, progressive weightlifting will reduce the chance of lymphedema developing and reduce the risk of flares if lymphedema is present.
If you are able to, think about the activities you enjoy the most, have fun with fitness and do those activities with the people that will motivate you to do more. Exercise is important, but make sure you do it wisely with specific guidance using an exercise coach, physiotherapist or physical therapist who knows what you are dealing with in relation to cancer rehabilitation.
The Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Survivors
THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS MOVEMENT FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
It's pretty clear that physical activity can improve both survival rates and quality of life with cancer. Physical activity and exercise training are proving to have an important supportive role before, during, and following cancer therapy. It is also fascinating that this research is increasingly being applied to clinical practice with amazing results.
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References:
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