Exercise plays a vital role in supporting overall health, especially for those living with cancer. Regular physical activity can boost your mood, enhance your energy levels, and improve your body’s ability to cope with treatment.
Cancer treatment causes a range of physical effects that vary among individuals. Exercise has been shown to help people cope with many common side effects, although some side effects require extra care. For instance, low-intensity exercise can help manage fatigue, while strength training can counteract muscle loss and tightness. Aerobic exercise can improve symptoms of anaemia, and flexibility exercises can alleviate lymphoedema. Moreover, physical activity can significantly improve mood, heart health, bone strength, joint pain, weight management, and overall quality of life.
Types of Exercise for Cancer Patients
1. Strength and Resistance Training
Engaging in resistance exercises, such as weight lifting or using resistance bands, can significantly enhance muscle strength and endurance. Over time, this type of exercise improves muscle mass, quality, and functional capacity, making daily activities easier to perform. For breast cancer patients, strength training helps counteract muscle loss due to chemotherapy and can improve upper body strength, which is particularly beneficial for those who have undergone surgery. Prostate cancer patients also benefit from resistance exercises as they help manage muscle loss and weight gain associated with hormone therapy.
2. Aerobic and Cardio Exercises
Activities like walking, cycling, and swimming help increase your heart and breathing rates, enhancing cardiovascular health and stamina. Aerobic exercise improves your body’s ability to use oxygen, which is crucial for maintaining energy levels and overall fitness during cancer treatment. Lung cancer patients can see improvements in lung capacity and overall respiratory health through regular aerobic exercise. Additionally, for those with colon cancer, cardio workouts can aid in digestion and improve gut health.
3. Flexibility and Balance Exercises
Incorporating activities such as yoga, Pilates, and tai chi can improve flexibility, balance, and coordination. These exercises help stretch your muscles, increase your range of motion, and reduce the risk of falls, contributing to better mobility and stability. Ovarian cancer patients may find that flexibility exercises help alleviate pain and improve mobility, especially after abdominal surgery. Balance exercises are crucial for those with bone cancer, as they help prevent falls and strengthen muscles around fragile bones.
Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients
1. Physical Health
Exercise is essential for everyone’s overall health and well-being, but it has unique benefits for people with cancer. Regular physical activity can improve how your body responds to cancer treatments, potentially making them more effective. It can also help mitigate side effects of cancer treatments, such as fatigue, muscle loss, and bone weakness. Staying active can reduce complications from surgery, enhance recovery by increasing energy levels, and improve muscle and bone strength. Moreover, exercise can reduce the risk of some cancers coming back, including breast, prostate, bowel, and endometrial cancers.
2. Mental Health
Exercise also offers significant mental health benefits. It can improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. The mood-boosting effects of physical activity are due to the release of brain chemicals like endorphins and endocannabinoids. Furthermore, staying active can boost self-esteem, provide a sense of accomplishment, and offer new ways to meet people and socialise, which is particularly beneficial during and after cancer treatment.
3. Frequency of Exercise
To gain these benefits, it is essential to be as physically active as your abilities allow. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) recommends that people with cancer aim for at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 1¼ hours of vigorous aerobic exercise per week, along with 2–3 strength or resistance sessions to build muscle strength. It can take time to build up to this level, so start slowly and gradually increase your activity. Always consult with an exercise professional or your healthcare team to tailor your exercise regimen to your specific needs and limitations.
How Exercise Can Ease Side Effects
Integrating exercise into your cancer care plan can significantly enhance your physical and mental well-being, support your recovery, and improve your quality of life. It’s essential to consult with your healthcare team before starting any new exercise regimen to ensure it’s safe and suitable for you.
At Tasman Health, we’re excited to offer support through our experienced accredited exercise physiologist, Kyra Suarez. With over 5 years of expertise in working with cancer patients, Kyra creates personalised exercise programs to help you manage treatment side effects and transition smoothly into survivorship.
Exercise can help you stay pain-free and maintain muscle strength, allowing you to continue enjoying your favourite activities. It also helps manage cancer-related fatigue, enabling you to spend more quality time with loved ones, and improves your overall quality of life, helping you live beyond your diagnosis.
To begin your journey towards better health and wellness, please talk to our team at Tasman Health Care. We will put you in touch with our exercise physiology program and get you started on your exercise journey that is personalised according to your medical conditions. Phone us at: 07 5613 2480 to enquire further.
