Cancer
- About Cancer
- Cancer and Genetics
- Cancer and Nutrition
- Cancer Diagnosis
- Cancer Test and Procedures
- Cancer Treatment
- Cancer Treatment Side Effects
- Living With Cancer
-
Specific Cancers
- Adrenal Cancer
- Anal Cancer
- Bile Duct Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Bone Cancer
- Brain and Central Nervous Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
- Cervical Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Ewing Sarcoma
- Eye Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Hodgkin Disease
- Kaposi's Sarcoma
- Kidney Cancer
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Leukemia - Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
- Leukemia - Acute Myelocytic (AML)
- Leukemia - Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Leukemia - Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
- Leukemia - General
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Malignant Mesothelioma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Oral Cancer
- Other Cancers
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Penile Cancer
- Pituitary Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Skin Cancer - Melanoma
- Skin Cancer - Non-Melanoma
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- Stomach Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Thymus Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Urethral Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vulvar Cancer
Alternative Therapy - Physical Exercise
What is physical exercise?
Physical exercise involves movement of the body to achieve and maintain a healthy condition and state of physical fitness. People exercise for aerobic training, to increase strength, and/or to improve flexibility and fitness. Exercise is also used as therapy to restore the body to a state of health.
Can exercise help people with cancer?
Exercise is an effective activity for many people with cancer. Scientists are still learning about how physical activity helps cancer patients and what impact it has on the immune system. Too much inactivity could result in a loss of function. Most physicians agree that regular amounts of modest physical activity can benefit cancer patients.
Studies have shown that for some cancer patients regular physical activity can accomplish the following:
Reduce anxiety or depression
Reduce fatigue
Improve blood flow to the legs and reduce the risk of blood clots
Reduce pain
Reduce diarrhea and constipation
Prevent osteoporosis
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Increase overall physical functioning
Reduce dependence on others for the activities of daily living
Improve self-esteem
Lift mood
How does exercise work?
There is no specific amount of exercise suggested for a person with cancer. The type and amount of exercise that is appropriate for you depends on your unique abilities and what you can tolerate.
Overall, exercise should make your heart work harder than normal. It is important to be able to monitor your heart rate, breathing rate, and muscle fatigue. Your physician can show you how, and can help you choose the kinds of activity that will be most beneficial, including exercise to help you build endurance and strength, and keep your body flexible and functioning properly.
Any exercise program should follow these basic guidelines:
Begin with 2 to 3 minutes of warm-up exercises (i.e., lifting arms, knee lifts, and stretching).
Use large muscle groups through the use of aerobic activities such as walking or cycling.
Include exercises that strengthen muscles, such as using weights.
Include exercises that increase flexibility and movement in your joints such as shoulder and arm circles and stretching exercises.
It is wise to exercise moderately. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that you exercise regularly, three to five days a week, but start slowly. ACSM recommends that you start with 15 minutes at a time and gradually build up until you reach anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes per session. An alternative approach includes 30 minutes of brisk activity in 10-minute segments, with short breaks in between. If that is too much, try 5 minutes of exercise three times a day, slowly adding 1 minute to each session until you can exercise for 10 minutes at a time. ACSM also recommends that you do 8 to 10 strength-training exercises, with 8 to 12 repetitions of each exercise twice a week.
Your daily routine can also provide opportunities for exercise. Walking around your neighborhood after dinner, walking the dog, washing the car, and raking leaves are all activities that can help to build strength, maintain energy, and contribute to your overall well-being.
Are there any possible problems or complications associated with exercise?
Problems or complications are possible if you exercise at a level of exertion that is inappropriate for you. That is why it is important for you to plan an exercise program with your physician.
Exercise, as an addition to your cancer treatment plan, has the potential to be pleasant and productive, but should not replace the care and treatment provided by your cancer care team. Always consult your physician for more information.
Warnings regarding exercise
Do not exercise:
If your blood counts are low and you are at risk for infection, anemia, or bleeding.
If the minerals in your blood, such as sodium and potassium, are not normal (this is likely to be the case if you have been vomiting or having diarrhea).
If you are taking treatments that affect your lungs or heart, or are at risk for lung or heart disease. Instead, consult your physician first, then watch for swollen ankles, sudden weight gain, or shortness of breath.
If you have unrelieved pain, nausea, vomiting, or other health concerns. Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.
Precautions to consider as you exercise
Do not overexert your body if you are taking blood pressure medication that controls your heart rate.
Do not hold your breath, as this may put a strain on your heart.
Do not exercise on uneven surfaces that could cause you to fall.
If you have bone disease, poor vision, poor balance, or weakness, do not use heavy weights or perform excessive weight bearing exercises.
Watch for signs of internal or external bleeding if you are taking blood thinners.
If you have swelling, pain, dizziness, or blurred vision, discontinue all exercise and call your physician immediately.
