Exercise for Cancer Patients

This is a Guest Post by: David Haas

Exercise for Cancer Patients – Questions Answered

Cancer takes such a heavy toll that exercise is the last thing many cancer patients want to do when undergoing treatment. However, scientists are increasingly finding that cancer patients receive numerous benefits from regular exercise. Exercise boosts mood, increases resilience to treatments, and improves recovery rates. Some patients may wonder which form of exercise offers the greatest advantages, and how much exercise is too much. Here is some information to help patients get started receiving the benefits of an exercise program.

What Forms of Exercise Benefit Cancer Patients?

Aerobic exercise is probably the most common form of exercise practiced, and ranges from mild to very intense. This means it is great for cancer patients because they can choose the level of intensity that matches their energy levels. At the intense end of the aerobic spectrum would be something like running, which is too strenuous for many people to start out with. Walking, on the other hand, is a very effective exercise that is also relatively easy on the body. Recent studies have found that breast cancer patients have better survival rates when they engage in regular exercise during treatment. Since aerobic exercise increases oxygen exchange in the lungs, it benefits patients receiving mesothelioma treatment. Walking for just 15-20 minutes a day can give patients huge boosts in energy and vitality.

Strength training is another excellent option for cancer patients but should be started slowly because of its intensity. This form of exercise boosts mood, energy, and strength by increasing the body’s levels of hormones and neurotransmitters. Strength training has also been found to significantly reduce side effects of cancer treatments. Cancer patients can begin with milder exercises, such as light bodyweight movements, and work up to more intense sessions using weights as they become stronger.

What Type of Routine is Best?

When anyone is starting a new exercise regiment, it’s important to take things slow and listen to one’s body to maximize benefits and reduce the risk of overtraining. No matter how long one has been training, rest periods remain essential to success. Many people are able to engage in mild exercise such as walking on a daily basis, but most people should take rest periods of a few days between intense workouts. After training regularly for awhile, some individuals are able to engage in strength training on a more frequent basis as long as they are not using very heavy weights. Training too often and resting too little can cause symptoms including fatigue and immune suppression, both of which could be hazardous to people with cancer.

Engaging in regular exercise is one of the best things cancer patients can do to support positive thinking and mood, reduce treatment side effects, and improve chances of recovery. It is also essential for patients in remission, whose chances of relapse are sharply reduced by regular exercise. Cancer patients who want to get started can get the greatest benefits from exercise by simply listening to their body and adjusting their regimen as needed.

David Haas is a cancer support group and awareness program advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. In addition to researching the many valuable programs available to our site’s visitors, David often blogs about programs and campaigns underway at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, as well as creative fitness ideas for those dealing with cancer, while creating relationships with similar organizations.

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog - http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog

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