|
The True Survivor
When you hear the words ‘physical activity” or “exercise”, what are the first potential benefits that come to mind? Is it a shapelier and leaner body? Is it stronger muscles, or greater endurance? Or is stress-management the first benefit that you think of? Whichever of these is your answer, you’re right. These, and so many other benefits, are results of being vigorously active, on a regular basis.
One critical benefit of exercise, however, that is infrequently considered is its effect on the prevention of major diseases, including cancer. Furthermore, exercise is unfortunately overlooked for its power to enhance the quality and quantity of life for survivors of cancer. This coming Sunday, June 7th, is the 22nd annual National Cancer Survivors Day. In recognition of such an important day, I ask that you consider the power of exercise in preventing, and treating, cancer. Exercise needs to be a part of everyone’s daily routine of life.
The Challenge: Treatments for cancer typically cause a significant decrease in quality of life in that they tend to lead to stress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Accompanying these symptoms are one or more of the following: weight loss due to muscle wasting, deep fatigue, physical weakness and debility, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
The Solution: Numerous studies have demonstrated that physical activity, with a structured exercise regimen included, helps relieve many of these symptoms of cancer and its treatments. Usually, range-of-motion exercises are the first to be introduced, post-surgery. As recovery continues, strength conditioning and mild cardiovascular exercise may be added to range-of-motion exercises; this will help survivors perform activities of daily living (ADLs).
If deep fatigue is experienced, then exercising can be incorporated on an intermittent basis; alternate brief bouts of exercise and rest until at least 20 or 30 minutes is reached. As energy is restored and fatigue diminishes, increase the exercise intervals, while diminishing the rest intervals until you reach 30 minutes of continuous exercise.
The general exercise prescription is moderate-intensity exercise 3-5 days per week. The other 2-4 days should include some form of physical activity, like walking or riding a bicycle. If extreme fatigue or physical impairment is experienced, then the prescription would need to be modified so that the intensity and/or frequency is temporarily diminished. By adhering to a steady exercise routine, motivation and adherence will improve.
Take-home message: Surviving cancer can be a challenging path. With a little bit of education and research, and the consistent implementation of a physical activity regimen, quality and quantity of life can be enhanced tremendously. Engaging in regular exercise will improve many aspects of recovery, both emotionally and physiologically. Some examples of emotional improvement include: enhanced mood, diminished depression, improved outlook on life and elevated self esteem.
Physiological benefits include: reduced fatigue and nausea, greater endurance, improved ADLs, increased strength and range of motion, improved neurological functioning (gait and balance) and improved hematocrit (percentage of blood cells in a blood sample). Never underestimate the healing power of exercise. Exercise is a critical complementary treatment for cancer recovery.
|
