Following a cancer diagnosis, the impending journey may appear overwhelming and mentally exhausting. While medical treatments are vital in the treatment and management of the disease, growing evidence states that including regular exercise in your routine can help your recovery. Let’s take a deep dive to explore the relationship between cancer and exercise and how physical activity impacts treatment outcomes and quality of life.

What are the Benefits of Exercise?

Physical activity has long been linked to many health benefits, including enhanced cardiovascular health, better weight management, improved blood sugar control, and stress reduction. However, its role in cancer care is also being recognised.

Research states that exercise can offer many benefits for cancer patients and survivors. Here are some benefits of exercise in people with cancer:

• Improved Physical Functioning

Regular exercise can enhance strength, flexibility, and endurance, helping cancer patients tolerate treatment side effects better and maintain independence in daily activities.

• Improved Quality of Life

Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and nausea while improving mood, sleep quality, and overall well-being.

• Reduced Risk of Recurrence

Emerging evidence suggests that engaging in regular physical activity may lower the risk of cancer recurrence and improve long-term survival rates among cancer survivors.

• Mitigation of Treatment Side Effects

Exercise can help alleviate common side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment, leading to a better overall treatment experience.

How Does Exercise Benefit People with Cancer?

Several studies have shed light on how physical activity exerts its beneficial effects. Here are some ways exercise helps in fighting cancer:

• Modulate Immune Function

Physical activity enhances immune function, potentially boosting the ability of the body to recognise cancer cells and destroy them.

• Regulate Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a trademark sign of cancer progression, and exercise has been shown to reduce inflammation levels in the body. Therefore, exercising regularly creates a less hospitable environment for tumour growth.

• Influence Hormone Levels

Exercise influences hormone levels affected in cancer development and progression, such as insulin and estrogen, potentially reducing the risk of hormone-related cancers.

• Enhance Treatment Efficacy

Some research suggests that exercise may enhance the effectiveness of some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, by improving drug delivery and tumour response.

• Helps in weight management

Exercise has been proven to aid in weight loss and management. Increased weight and obesity are known risk factors for several chronic health conditions, including diabetes and cancer. Adding exercise into the daily routine can help cancer patients maintain healthy weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, boost mood, and lower stress. These help navigate through the cancer journey successfully.

Practical Tips for Incorporating Exercise into Cancer Care

Despite the numerous benefits of exercise, many cancer patients and survivors may be unsure where to begin or how to integrate physical activity into their treatment regimen safely.

Here are some practical tips to help get started:

• Consult with a Healthcare Provider: Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program during your cancer journey, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions.

• Start Slowly: It is important to start small and slow with low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or gentle yoga and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts.
• Stay Hydrated and Practice Good Nutrition: Proper hydration and nutrition are essential to any exercise program, particularly for cancer patients undergoing treatment. Aim to stay hydrated and consume a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

• Listen to Your Body: When it comes to workouts, always observe how your body responds to different exercises and adjust your routine accordingly. You must strike a balance between challenging yourself and avoiding overexertion.

• Incorporate Variety: To keep things exciting and target different muscle groups, incorporate a variety of workouts into your routine. Try incorporating aerobic exercises, strength training, flexibility exercises, and balance activities.

Conclusion

Cancer is a formidable foe, but exercise can be a powerful friend in the fight against this disease. By incorporating regular physical activity into cancer care plans, patients and survivors can improve their physical health and quality of life and potentially reduce their risk of recurrence. As the evidence continues to mount, it's clear that exercise is not just a beneficial addition to cancer care but an integral component of holistic cancer management.

References:

• https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet
• https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet
• https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/exercise-during-cancer-treatment--4-things-to-know.h00-159543690.html
• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/be-healthy-after-treatment/physical-activity-and-the-cancer-patient.html