In 2021, it was estimated that over 150,000 people were diagnosed with cancer. [1]. It is also stated that around 43% of the population will be diagnosed with cancer by age 85. In addition, lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to cancer-related deaths.
Research has proven that physical activity and exercise tremendously benefits people undergoing cancer treatment. That is why health professionals recommend supporting cancer treatment with an optimised exercise program to maintain consistent physical activity and combat some side effects of treatments such as fatigue.
Physical activity can help cancer survivors manage their health better and improve their chances of survival from certain types of cancer. Unfortunately, the benefits of exercise are often disregarded or undervalued, leading to an inactive lifestyle for people battling cancer.
Top 10 benefits of exercise during cancer treatment
1. Reduce fatigue
Exercise boosts your energy and improves your endurance. This is beneficial when undergoing cancer treatments that may cause side effects. The extra boost in energy will help you stay functional and still do activities you love to do.
2. Decrease stress
Battling cancer can be taxing to your mental health. Exercise can boost your mind's happy hormones and help you maintain balance in your health. In addition, it can help decrease anxiety, fear and depression.
3. Maintain strength
Exercise keeps your muscles strong. It also prevents muscle wasting or atrophy. In addition, maintaining your muscle strength will allow you to do more activities.
4. Prevent swelling or lymphedema
Lymphedema can be caused by cancer or cancer treatments. The contraction of the muscles during exercise allows the movement of lymph fluids away from swollen areas of your body.
5. Help manage the pain
Exercise has a natural analgesic effect and provides pain relief by optimising your physical and mental health. Therefore, a proper exercise routine can positively impact your pain experience.
6. Prevent weight gain
Exercise uses calories to fuel your activities, allowing you to maintain a healthy weight.
7. Reduce brain fog
Exercise and physical activities engage the mind and body. It has profound cognitive health benefits that allow you to reduce brain fog.
8. Prevent bone loss
Cancer treatments may result in bone loss. Through exercise, you can stimulate your bones to stay healthy and strong. This will prevent fractures and other conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis.
9. Help increase the survival rate
Research suggests that a consistent exercise routine during cancer treatment may positively improve the outcome of cancer treatment and the chance of survival of people with cancer.
10. Allows you to stay active and independent
Exercise allows you to become more independent and active as much as possible. Athletes undergoing cancer treatments may coordinate with a physiotherapist to help them maintain participation in sports or recreational activities.
Outlook
Generally, adults should have at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercises each week. Adults with a history of cancer or other chronic diseases should consult their health care provider about developing an appropriate physical activity or exercise routine.
A physiotherapist can create an optimised exercise program that will work well with your cancer treatment. Physiotherapists are health and movement experts who can improve the quality of your life by allowing you to become more independent and healthy.
