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Exercise, Cancer and Quality of Life
When possible, people with chronic
illnesses, such as cancer, are advised to engage in mild to moderate
physical activity to increase strength,
endurance and energy.
"You want me to do what?" Many people with cancer are surprised to hear that exercise might help them feel better. Until recently, physicians advised patients with cancer to rest and avoid all activities that could worsen fatigue. This advice made sense. After all, fatigue is a message from your body that you need rest. Exercising, it was thought, might deplete the body's limited energy supply. Research has shown, however, that too much rest reduces the body's energy supply further. As muscles, joints and bones become weaker, activities required for daily living become increasingly difficult. A simple walk from the bedroom to the kitchen gets harder and harder. The solution? When possible, people with chronic illnesses, such as cancer, are advised to engage in mild to moderate physical activity to increase strength, endurance and energy. Should I check with my doctor first? Each person is different, and you should check with your doctor to make sure exercise will benefit you. Consider not only limitations imposed by illness, but also factors such as knee problems, back problems and other health issues that would affect exercise recommendations. Get as much advice as possible, and ask what activities you can and cannot do. If you have had surgery recently, or are undergoing bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy or radiation treatments, get specific exercise guidelines. For example, you should not exercise for at least 48 hours following chemotherapy, and not until symptoms like nausea subside. Not everyone with cancer should exercise, and there may be periods during treatment when rest is best. Ask your doctor about warning signs that indicate you should not exercise, such as fever, increased pain or swelling. |
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What kind of benefits can I expect? If your doctor has said you may exercise, it is important to begin slowly and to progress gradually. Research has shown that even small amounts of activity, such as walking a few minutes several times a day, can help to reduce feelings of fatigue and increase daily energy levels. Physical activity may also improve sleep quality and help counteract the insomnia so common for people with cancer. As your muscles and joints become stronger, and as your endurance improves, daily tasks will begin to feel a little easier. If your treatments have led to muscle loss, exercise will help you regain some of your lost strength. Some people have found that participation in physical activity reduces feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Many report that exercise helps them feel better, more self-confident and more in control of their treatment. Some people with cancer report that exercise helps them tolerate their treatments better. What kind of exercise is best? Cancer refers to more than100 different diseases, each with its own characteristics and recommended treatments. No two people with cancer are alike, and research on exercise benefits for people with cancer is still fairly new. Thus, at this point, there are no standard recommendations for exercise, except to start slowly and progress gradually to avoid injury. If you have had surgery recently, you are probably working with a physical therapist to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the site of the surgery. You may also be walking short distances to build up your endurance. As recovery progresses, you may be able to gradually add more exercise. Work with a physical therapist or fitness professional who has experience working with people with cancer. You may even be able to locate an exercise group specifically for people with cancer. |
Most exercise programs include three types
of activity. Aerobic activity, such as walking, cycling or swimming,
improves endurance. Strength training, such as calisthenics or weight
lifting, increases the strength of muscles and joints. Stretching improves
flexibility. Exercise will improve your physical fitness if you ask your
body to do just a little more than usual. For example, if you can walk for
five minutes without getting tired, then walk for six. If you already walk
one mile or more, pick up the pace or walk a longer distance.
Barbara A. Brehm, Ed.D., is professor of exercise and sport studies at Smith
College, Northampton, Mass.
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Regular exercise helps you feel less stressed and more energetic. Improve your health and live longer.
For physical activity to "count" as exercise, you should feel like you are exerting yourself somewhat, or even somewhat hard.