For the first time I am posting an article on this blog from a guest author.
His name is David Haas of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.
David promotes exercise to help cancer patients deal with such a scary subject. Exercise for cancer patients is one of my favorite subjects. Exercise has helped my wife recover physically and emotionally each time she has had cancer.
Can exercise enhance cancer treatment? by David Haas
Can exercise enhance
cancer treatment? Modern research indicates that it can, and the latest
national guidelines recommend exercise for cancer patients. In fact, today’s
cancer patients are warned to avoid inactivity despite traditional advice to
the contrary.
Compelling studies suggest that exercise is safe for most patients, both during and after treatment like radiation and chemotherapy. Even those undergoing stem cell transplants and other complex procedures benefit from physical activity.
Much of the medical community holds to a prevailing attitude that cancer patients should not push themselves during therapy. However, new research reverses this cautionary exercise advice for patients with breast and prostate cancers, gastrointestinal tumors and other cancers.
According to an American College of Sports Medicine panel of experts, cancer patients should strive for 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week. This is the same guideline recommended for the general public.
Some activities, such as swimming and yoga, are extremely beneficial for cancer patients. Other activities may harm those with specific types of cancer. For example, strenuous weightlifting is not recommended following breast cancer surgery. Vigorous workouts are impossible for people in mesothelioma treatment, and patients with weakened immune systems should avoid public gyms.
Doctors and fitness professionals should tailor exercise plans to individual cancer patients. They must take into account a variety of factors: age, fitness level, diagnosis, cancer stage, treatment plan and more. Nearly all patients can engage in some type of activity, if it is planned with their individual needs in mind.
Change in body composition is a persistent concern for cancer patients. Weight gain and loss are closely tied to cancer symptoms and therapy side effects. Patients with breast cancer, prostate cancer and other hormone-based tumors tend to gain weight during treatment. Those with pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal tumors and other cancers often suffer extreme weight loss.
Studies indicate that both groups can benefit from exercise. While physical activity burns energy and promotes weight loss, it also maintains lean body mass and improves appetite. The energy it creates contributes to increased strength, endurance and general well being.
Exercise can enhance cancer treatment by addressing quality of life issues, as well. Regular physical activity lifts the mood, reduces fatigue and improves mental outlook. With appropriate and adequate exercise, patients can live and function independently during treatment. This is very important, since cancer takes away so much of a person's sense of independence and control.
Compelling studies suggest that exercise is safe for most patients, both during and after treatment like radiation and chemotherapy. Even those undergoing stem cell transplants and other complex procedures benefit from physical activity.
Much of the medical community holds to a prevailing attitude that cancer patients should not push themselves during therapy. However, new research reverses this cautionary exercise advice for patients with breast and prostate cancers, gastrointestinal tumors and other cancers.
According to an American College of Sports Medicine panel of experts, cancer patients should strive for 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week. This is the same guideline recommended for the general public.
Some activities, such as swimming and yoga, are extremely beneficial for cancer patients. Other activities may harm those with specific types of cancer. For example, strenuous weightlifting is not recommended following breast cancer surgery. Vigorous workouts are impossible for people in mesothelioma treatment, and patients with weakened immune systems should avoid public gyms.
Doctors and fitness professionals should tailor exercise plans to individual cancer patients. They must take into account a variety of factors: age, fitness level, diagnosis, cancer stage, treatment plan and more. Nearly all patients can engage in some type of activity, if it is planned with their individual needs in mind.
Change in body composition is a persistent concern for cancer patients. Weight gain and loss are closely tied to cancer symptoms and therapy side effects. Patients with breast cancer, prostate cancer and other hormone-based tumors tend to gain weight during treatment. Those with pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal tumors and other cancers often suffer extreme weight loss.
Studies indicate that both groups can benefit from exercise. While physical activity burns energy and promotes weight loss, it also maintains lean body mass and improves appetite. The energy it creates contributes to increased strength, endurance and general well being.
Exercise can enhance cancer treatment by addressing quality of life issues, as well. Regular physical activity lifts the mood, reduces fatigue and improves mental outlook. With appropriate and adequate exercise, patients can live and function independently during treatment. This is very important, since cancer takes away so much of a person's sense of independence and control.
Thank you David for such a great article.
Keith Sutorius - Owner MAST Fitness
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