The Importance of Exercise When Fighting Cancer

Cancer patients often have difficulty becoming motivated to exercise since the treatment process creates side effects that include intense pain, discomfort and fatigue. In the past, doctors recommended that cancer patients rest and make sure not to strain themselves. Recently, studies have emerged that show the correlation between exercise and the health of cancer patients.

These studies advise the same amount of activity for people undergoing cancer treatments as people who are not undergoing these treatments. For the average person, doctors advise about thirty minutes of moderate exercise daily. People undergoing cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, who took on this amount of activity, experienced reduced side effects from their treatments, lower rates of the cancer recurring and higher survival rates.

Liz Davies approached me out on my blog 2min4u.blogspot.com and wanted to share this article to help others battling cancer. She is an ambitious young lady. Her contribution for motivating cancer patients is greatly appreciated. My husband who died of pancreatic cancer was always a supporter of exercise - both when he was healthy and while fighting this disease. He would walk our Golden Retrievers daily, the dogs were brothers and he was blessed to be able to walk with his older brother. The four of them would traverse our neighborhood daily. Whether walking, swimming, lifting weights, or other active sports, the human body always appreciates the movement. Exercise is the ultimate elixir of life.

Especially in women, radiation and chemotherapy may cause severe bone loss. Weight-lifting activities can aid in by enhancing bone density which strengthens bones. Strength-building exercises can be in the form of weight-lifting, resistance training and isometric training. These can be performed with weight machines, resistance bands, dumbbells and even items like soup cans. Being proactive is extremely important when going though cancer treatment. Bone mass cannot be built; it can only be retained so it is important for people going through treatments to consistently perform strength-building activities.

Depending on the cancer, treatments may cause patients to either lose weight or gain weight. In order to lower the risk of the cancer reoccurring it is advised that people maintain a healthy weight. Exercises such as running, swimming, walking or other aerobic activity can help control a person’s weight. These exercises will also improve mood and energy levels which is especially helpful for cancer patients.

It is well known that cancer patients can experience damaging side effects from the necessary medication they must take and an exercise schedule may feel daunting to maintain. The mere act of keeping a routine can have a incredible effect on a person’s mental health and can help keep them have a positive outlook. One way to keep a routine is to redesign the definition of exercise. A thirty-minute exercise session may not be feasible for everyone. A shorter or less intense session of activity is better than none at all so trying simple exercises like putting groceries away or walking around the house is a good way to make a difference in health. Stretching exercises, like pilates for example, are good for both mind and body. With all types of activity it is important to consult a doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. These ideas are great for people going through any type of treatment from anything ranging from mesothelioma treatment to breast cancer treatment.

Other ways of staying positive and motivated for cancer patients include becoming a part of support groups and gaining the support of family and friends.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

© 2012 Liz Davies

If you have a story to share - whether it be yours or a friends and the journey to fight cancer and the many benefits - both physical and mental of exercise, please share with us below. Sharing the common experience could motivate someone who is battling this terrible disease.

Better yet, if you know of someone battling cancer, offer to exercise with them - either a regularly scheduled or sporadic, something at the gym, something at the park, or offer to stretch their hamstrings and help alleviate the stress that we all fight with our backs.

Everyone one can make a difference. Whether it is a word or an action, we are all in this together and united we can battle this horrible disease.