Many people who are going through cancer treatment, whether chemotherapy or radiation, or people who are in the survivorship stage of cancer have asked me the same question. Can or should I exercise?
My answer is always yes.
Cancer treatments can affect each individual in different ways. Levels of energy, anxiety, fatigue, function, depression, and quality of life vary from person to person. For some individuals, these levels can be severe depending on their physical health, mental health, and support network. Cancer treatments can leave an individual weak and, some times, hopeless.
Multiple organizations at national level (American Cancer Society, The American College of Sports Medicine, etc) and international level (Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, Cancer Care Ontario, etc) have published exercise recommendations for people living with cancer or people who are at the survivorship stage. Multiple studies have shown, over and over, the benefits of exercising in the Cancer population.
There is a strong evidence that exercise can lower the risk of developing cancers such as Breast, Colon, Endometrial, Kidney, Bladder, Esophageal, and Stomach Cancers and moderate evidence of lowering the risk of developing Lung Cancer. It is more limited in Bone Cancer (Myeloma), Hematologic (Lymphoma, Leukemia, etc), Head and Neck, Ovary and Prostate Cancers.
Other studies support the evidence of exercise prescription to improve cancer related side effects such as fatigue, quality of life, depression, anxiety, physical function, etc. There is also sufficient evidence for resistance training for Breast Cancer survivors suffering from or at risk for Lymphedema.
Therefore, every individual receiving cancer treatment and survivor should avoid inactivity.
The suggested exercise prescription is 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week. These exercises can include, walking outdoors or on a treadmill, Tai Chi, etc. And resistant exercises two to three times a week. These exercises can include resistance bands, therapeutic ball, thera-putty, etc. The progression should be in small increments and as tolerated by the client. Clients should try to keep it simple and perform these exercises at their own pace.
Besides helping keep muscles from loosing flexibility and strength, exercise can also help with anxiety, depression, fatigue, quality of life, sleep, bone health, chemo therapy cardio toxicity, peripheral neuropathy (pin and needles in hands and/or feet), fall prevention, nausea, pain, sexual disfunction, and cancer treatment tolerance.
There is also plenty of evidence that a supervised exercise program by an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, etc can yield to better outcomes and compliance from clients.
If you or a love one is currently receiving Cancer Treatment or suffering from the aftermath of Cancer Treatment, we can work with you or your love one to help you through your journey and help you improve your quality of life.