Cancer and Exercise
By Lisa Hanson
One of the biggest challenges a breast cancer patient faces, is dealing with the side effects of treatment. Research has shown that exercise can reduce nausea, fatigue, pain and other side effects associated with cancer treatment. We now know that patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy get in much better physical condition during treatment, even with light exercise. Survivors who have more energy and improve their functional ability, are able to tolerate their treatment better. Exercise studies have demonstrated that breast cancer survivors who exercise during treatment improve their functional ability by 15% in a nine week period compared with the "usual-care" group who showed fitness declines averaging 23%. Patients undergoing chemo, radiation, immunotherapy and bone marrow transplant have shown functional ability improvements from 4-40%!
Survivors should exercise at the time of the day when they feel best. Research has shown that survivors who exercise when they are experiencing high levels of fatigue often report getting the best results with the most energy, biggest decrease in fatigue and greatest improvement in mood. Movement should begin soon after surgery, slowly and gently, with the permission of your surgeon. Stretching and range of motion exercises may be performed, but only if it does not cause pain.
Here are some of the goals we work toward with exercise during and following cancer treatment:
-Maintain and improve endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
-Reduce side effect frequency and intensity during treatment.
-Reduce the risk of lymphedemia, osteoporosis and shoulder problems.
-Increase total body range of motion and specifically, range of motion of the shoulder, chest and back.
-Strengthen the chest, shoulder and back.
-Improve strength and lean body mass.
-Decrease stress.
-Improve mood and self-esteem.
-Promote wellness and quality of life.
How often, how hard, how long and what? Cardiovascular conditioning should be performed at least 3-5 times per week. Resistance exercise should be performed two to three times per week with at least 48 hours of recovery between exercise bouts. Exercise should continue regularly during chemotherapy, with optimal results on side effect management observed in patients who exercise at least every other day. A qualified fitness professional can help determine intensity, duration and mode, after a thorough assessment of posture, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, strength, posture and body composition.
One point to consider is that if someone is returning to exercise after a period of inactivity, they may require several days or several weeks to regain their regular workout load. Also, if on a 1-10 scale of pain, with one being minimal and 10 being extreme, the exerciser feels a level 5 or greater, or pain is worsened with exercise, exercise should be postponed.
Shortly after surgery, people can begin range of motion exercises, but only with the supervision of a rehabilitation professional, including occupational therapists, physical therapists or nursing staff. Alternative physical activities, such as Pilates, Tai Chi, or Yoga may also be helpful and enjoyable for many survivors.
- Lisa
As always if you have any questions or comments, or would like us to do some research for you, we are open for suggestions. Please email us with your request or if you would like to join our newsletter.
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