I know I said I wouldn’t have anything to post until my next scans in June but a reader of this blog reminded me of the importance of exercise during treatments. I recall Dr. Goy strongly encouraging his patients to exercise while in the hospital receiving treatment. He actually setup stationary bicycles in the hospital and wanted us to be on them 3 times a day for 20 minute intervals. Certainly he wasn’t looking for us push hard as if in a gym. He just wanted us to keep active. I will say this this really worked. Keeping active was such large part of the day while in the hospital that we actually figured out that 23 laps around the nurses’ station equaled a mile.
My new friend, David Hass has provided me with an excellent article regarding the benefits of exercise. I thought it would be great to share it with you. Here it is:
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Physical Fitness And Its Impact On Cancer Treatment And Recovery
In the wake of a cancer diagnosis, physical activity will most likely decrease as symptoms progress and days being to fill with doctor’s appointments and cancer treatments. Nevertheless, exercise is essential when someone is facing breast surgery, mesothelioma treatment, or any other type of cancer therapy.
Of course, physical fitness is not usually in the forefront of a cancer patients mind. Exercise requires strength and energy, two things a patient is unlikely to possess in great measure. Yet, exercise is just the thing to increase strength and boost energy levels. All the medical research points to numerous health benefits from cancer fitness regimens.
Among the general population, exercise may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. For cancer patients, regular physical activity may decrease mortality rates and improve survival rates. Exercise has many physical benefits, and its role in emotional health is especially important for cancer patients.
Effective cancer treatment depends on several things, from a patients physical health to a treatments’ aggressive nature. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatments work because they aggressively fight growing tumors. But they often come with debilitating side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, fatigue, brain fog, depression, and more.
Regular exercise during cancer treatment strengthens the body and provides the energy needed to combat cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Exercise also reduces the side effects of long-term bed rest that is sometimes required for cancer patients: weak muscles, stiff joints, constipation, and skin sores.
A patients emotional state also affects treatment and exercise plays an important role here. Studies show that physical activity improves mood, reduces stress, enables relaxation, and encourages positive thoughts; all beneficial for the recovery and well-being for a cancer patient.
Most people can engage in some type of exercise immediately following diagnosis. Depending on how they feel from day to day, they can usually continue their fitness regimen throughout treatment and recovery. Nearly any type of movement is safe and possible for cancer patients, as long as it does not cause undue stress, pain, or breathing problems.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), describes physical activity as an essential component of energy balance. Along with a healthy weight and nutritious meals, exercise has a tremendous influence on health for cancer patients and the general population alike. The NCI recommends 30 minutes of moderately to intense exercise on five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity at least three days a week.
Jogging, bicycling, dancing, and team sports are activities that many cancer patients can enjoy. Even those recovering from breast surgery or going through mesothelioma treatment can do gentle stretching, walking, light calisthenics, and yoga. Cancer patients should take advantage of exercise and its many benefits. Whatever its direct impact on treatment and recovery, physical activity can make all the difference in someones outlook and quality of life.
In the wake of a cancer diagnosis, physical activity will most likely decrease as symptoms progress and days being to fill with doctor’s appointments and cancer treatments. Nevertheless, exercise is essential when someone is facing breast surgery, mesothelioma treatment, or any other type of cancer therapy.
Of course, physical fitness is not usually in the forefront of a cancer patients mind. Exercise requires strength and energy, two things a patient is unlikely to possess in great measure. Yet, exercise is just the thing to increase strength and boost energy levels. All the medical research points to numerous health benefits from cancer fitness regimens.
Among the general population, exercise may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer. For cancer patients, regular physical activity may decrease mortality rates and improve survival rates. Exercise has many physical benefits, and its role in emotional health is especially important for cancer patients.
Effective cancer treatment depends on several things, from a patients physical health to a treatments’ aggressive nature. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatments work because they aggressively fight growing tumors. But they often come with debilitating side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, fatigue, brain fog, depression, and more.
Regular exercise during cancer treatment strengthens the body and provides the energy needed to combat cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Exercise also reduces the side effects of long-term bed rest that is sometimes required for cancer patients: weak muscles, stiff joints, constipation, and skin sores.
A patients emotional state also affects treatment and exercise plays an important role here. Studies show that physical activity improves mood, reduces stress, enables relaxation, and encourages positive thoughts; all beneficial for the recovery and well-being for a cancer patient.
Most people can engage in some type of exercise immediately following diagnosis. Depending on how they feel from day to day, they can usually continue their fitness regimen throughout treatment and recovery. Nearly any type of movement is safe and possible for cancer patients, as long as it does not cause undue stress, pain, or breathing problems.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), describes physical activity as an essential component of energy balance. Along with a healthy weight and nutritious meals, exercise has a tremendous influence on health for cancer patients and the general population alike. The NCI recommends 30 minutes of moderately to intense exercise on five days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity at least three days a week.
Jogging, bicycling, dancing, and team sports are activities that many cancer patients can enjoy. Even those recovering from breast surgery or going through mesothelioma treatment can do gentle stretching, walking, light calisthenics, and yoga. Cancer patients should take advantage of exercise and its many benefits. Whatever its direct impact on treatment and recovery, physical activity can make all the difference in someones outlook and quality of life.
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David,
Thanks!!! for sharing this wonderful article.
David's goal is to help others going through their battle with cancer. For more information go to his blog at: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog
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Bless the LORD, my soul;
all my being, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, my soul;
and do not forget all his gifts,
Who pardons all your sins,
and heals all your ills,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
and crowns you with mercy and compassion,
Who fills your days with good things,
so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5
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My next scan is scheduled for June 11th and my follow-up appointment with Dr. Goy is on June 15th.
