Exercise For Cancer Patients and Survivors

By Krista Frederic, MPT, CSC

Forever Fit Physical Therapy and Wellness

. http://www.foreverfitptw.com/

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Exercise For Cancer Patients and Survivors

Cancer treatment and survivorship is an exhausting process. The side effects of both chemotherapy and radiation treatments include pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Previously, cancer patients have been advised to rest and avoid activity throughout the duration of care. However, complete rest and inactivity results in muscle atrophy, decreased endurance and decreased tolerance for functional activity and increased feelings of fatigue.

In previous years, quality of life during treatment and survivorship were not significant concerns as those with cancer did not survive very long. Over the last two decades, as survivorship rates have increased, research has begun to focus more on how to care for the ongoing needs of those with cancer diagnoses.

Research in the last decade has shown that cancer patients and survivors get significant health benefits from exercise during and after treatment. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that cancer patients adhere to the 2008 federal Physical Activity Guidelines of 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, to the extent they are able.

Benefits of exercise for cancer patients include improved body image, decreased fatigue, improved fitness and strength, improved independence and quality of life.

There are some concerns that those undergoing cancer treatment need to be aware of when initiating an exercise program. Metastases in the bones, or osteoporosis from treatments may increase the risk of fracture; if one is diagnosed with these problems, they should avoid lifting heavy weights or placing themselves in very difficult balance positions. Those currently in chemotherapy treatment need to be very cautious not to exercise too hard in the lowest stages of blood values (anemia, low platelet counts, etc) or if temperature is elevated over 100.4.

Your physician and physical therapist can work together to help you decide what level of activity is safe in these stages of treatment. In order to avoid infections, one will also want to avoid exercising in public gyms if his white blood cell count is low. Your oncologist should always be involved in helping make the decision to start or maintain an exercise program during treatment.

We advise cancer patients to begin exercise with an exercise professional for safety reasons. Physical therapists or ACSM Cancer Exercise Trainers are a good resource to help you determine the safest program.

Remember avoidy inactivity!