I was recently contacted by David Haas of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. David had stumbled across this blog and had asked if he could use it to help spread the word about how exercise is not only important for everyday folks, but also for those who face the challenge of defeating cancer. Since I think my writing level is probably on par with about a 7th grader, I figured getting in infusion of targeted, well written information would benefit everybody. He sent me the following piece, which I found very interesting and very important if it can be applied to you or someone you know. Thank you David for the “reach out”, hopefully this will help some people who need it.
I am heading out to the track, then hitting the night skies for a couple of days. Hopefully I can get back here to post my latest events sooner rather than later. Until then, enjoy David’s piece……
Staying Fit While Dealing with Cancer
Physical fitness is important for everyone, regardless of their level of wellness. It’s even more vital, however, for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. Staying active can greatly improve a patient’s quality of life, reducing fatigue, increasing energy levels, and helping to fight depression. While it can be hard to maintain your old exercise regimen after a cancer diagnosis, even a little bit of activity helps.
What Counts as Physical Fitness?
According to the National Cancer Institute’s guide to physical activity and cancer, physical activity counts as any bodily movement produced by the skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure. Engaging in this kind of activity on a regular basis helps us maintain healthy joints, bones and muscles. It also encourages greater psychological well-being, decreases the risk of heart diseases and helps control weight. Regular physical activity decreases the risk of dying early in both people with and without a cancer diagnosis.
Physical Fitness and Survivorship
Staying physically fit decreases the risk of developing a wide variety of cancer, including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. It can also help you increase your chances of surviving an existing cancer diagnosis. One study showed that women who get three to give hours of moderate walking exercise or its equivalent per week are more likely to survive breast cancer than women who remained sedentary. This is especially true of women whose tumors are hormone-responsive.
In another study, people with a higher level of physical activity after a colon cancer diagnosis were more likely to survive their initial bout with the disease. They were also much less likely to have a recurrence. No matter what kind of cancer diagnosis you have, fitness can help you stay positive and feel more energetic.
Fitness During Treatment
Even if you’re used to maintaining a physical fitness program, you’ll probably have to adjust it during your treatment. Many types of cancer can affect your ability to perform the same exercises you once found easy. For instance, fitness for mesothelioma often requires less strenuous activity that doesn’t stress the respiratory system.
People undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment may find that they tire easily. Those who have recently had surgery may have to arrange their exercise program around limited mobility. Make sure you talk to your doctor about staying fit during your treatment. He or she can tell you what types of exercise you should avoid and may have some suggestions for a beneficial fitness program.
Staying Fit in Remission
Physical fitness keeps you healthier after treatment as well as during. People who stay fit after their cancer goes into remission are less likely to see the disease come back and are better at fighting it if it does. They also have a reduced chance of getting other diseases, such as diabetes, which is often associated with weight gain during treatment. Increasing physical activity helps maintain healthy hormone levels, including insulin production.
Many cancer survivors benefit from taking up yoga during and after their treatment. This type of exercise can be adjusted for people who tire easily and have very low mobility, but it can also become very strenuous when you’re ready to advance. Yoga has been shown to improve mobility and help with both physical and mental relaxation. Some classes made specifically for cancer survivors include special restorative poses that promote a healthier immune system.
If you’re going through cancer treatment or have just received a diagnosis, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and let physical activity fall by the wayside. Staying fit, however, could be the key to having easier treatment, faster recovery and a reduced chance of remission later in life.
