Why Can Exercise Be The Prescription That Every Cancer Patient Deserves?
Mounting evidence shows even moderate exercise can be a valuable companion to
cancer treatment. In the same way as they receive chemotherapy based on
individual parameters, patients should receive a tailored exercise
program/prescription at the start of their treatment. Many cancer patients
endure the rigours of chemotherapy for small gains at the risk of significant
toxicity. There is mounting evidence that when it comes to risk reduction, even
moderate exercise can match the benefit of the most promising cancer treatments.
Thus, while exercise does not replace cancer treatment, it is an unquestionably
valuable and underutilized companion. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Why
can exercise be the prescription that every cancer patient deserves?
Yes exercise like walking can definitely assist in the recovery from cancer
treatments. I have always walked and continued even when i was having treatment
for cancer, being outdoors and keeping fit was great for mind and body.
As a cancer patient anything that makes you feel a bit like normal is good for
the mind. I had many setbacks including acute sepsis so massive weight loss
after finishing chemo and radiation I have tried to get into some exercise but
medication makes you tired. I am going to start swimming and try to take the
dog for a walk and use my exercise bike daily it's a struggle but makes U feel
like normal again
Wow, I think this is great news. At the very least, focussing on a gentle
exercise routine would be a positive step and give the patient some ownership of
their treatment. I am sure some must feel quite helpless while awaiting the
outcomes of chemo etc. If it helps to raise hope and positivity then that would
be a bonus.
Mild exercise is good for your general health. It certainly is not a deterrent
for cancer, but to assist in general recovery through cancer treatment programs
it can be of benefit. Remembering though that a lot of cancer sufferers are
unable to perform exercise regimes due to other health issues. I myself am one
of those people.
I've never had cancer so I'm no expert on these matters but I do believe that
exercise is very beneficial to your overall health in general. I try to exercise
every day and think it makes a big difference to how I feel.
BS
I had a Left Mastectomy in early 1960, a week in hospital, a week at home [my
daughter & a nursing friend of mine both came separately to keep an eye on me],
then back to my work as an Occupational Health Nurse based in a Railway workshop
and covering railway workers right across qld also up & down the coast a little
from my base. There were no exercises or physiotherapy offered, or needed. I
went about my daily activities, - getting dressed was difficult at times
especially if my husband was working away. Fortunately I was Right handed so I
could do most things without too much difficulty. I could drive to and from work
and across the State to wherever I had Medicals to do. I had Chemotherapy at the
local hospital one afternoon per fortnight [It took a bit longer than usual as I
reactred to the dosage of chemo so they halved it and extended the giving time.
Carrying on doing my daily tasks at home and at work was really all the exercise
I needed. Towards the end of the year I moved to an area where there was a
Hospital that did the Radiotherapy. Again I was fortunate. The Railways
enabled me to work from their nearest Occ Health Rooms looking after my people
further north with the assistance of the ER gentlemen there, and assisting the
local OHN with hers. I had my radiotherapy appointments in the later afternoon
and drove back to where I was staying straight after. For me, daily home and
work activities were all I needed. My job did require quite a bit of walking
every day as well. I felt I was sufficiently well cared for by the Nurses &
Doctors in the hospitals as well as my own GP's. BS
I've never been a victim so I can't say either way.
I'm not convinced tho that exercise would be the equivalent of cancer
treatment.
It might in some ways help remove the cancer medications quicker from the body,
but I would not say the exercise would make the difference to your cancer going
away.
There are many people who suffer from cancer and keep fit.
There's still a lot we don't know.
Most of us seem to know at least one or more people who have had it or even died
from it.
It's increasing despite many more people being aware of diet and fitness.
There are no guarantees that you wont get it.
Inflammation can be a cause.
Injury to a body party, organ.
The cells of the body are an important pathway to cancer.
Cell cleaning and cell stagnation.
Take care of those cells and they might help protect you against the development
of cancer.
