Exercise and Cancer by Liz Davies

Exercise and Cancer




Many people already know that physical exercise is important for one's overall health and well-being. For example, it helps prevent unhealthy weight gain; reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels; strengthens the muscles, bones, and ligaments; and helps reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and related conditions. However, it can have even more important and surprising benefits for cancer patients and survivors.



Individuals who are regularly physically active are at a significantly lower risk of contracting many different types of cancer, including breast, colon, lung, prostate and pericardial mesothelioma. The exact amount of exercise you require depends on the difficulty of your particular type of exercise; for example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 20 minutes of intense exercise at least three times weekly, or 30 minutes of mild exercise at least five times weekly. Hard running, mountain climbing, and jumping rope would be categorized as intense exercise, while walking, easy bicycling, or yoga would be considered mild exercise.



If you have already been diagnosed with some type of cancer, do not give in to the temptation to drop physical activity from your normal routine. If you have never been physically active, starting can significantly improve your prognosis. The connection between exercise and cancer survival rates has been studied extensively, with very promising results. For example, women diagnosed with breast cancer who are moderately active have been found to survive their condition in significantly more cases than do women with breast cancer who do not work out. Studies of individuals with other types of cancer have yielded similar results.



It can be difficult, of course, to find the motivation to work out while going through treatment for cancer. However, evidence shows that exercise can not only improve a cancer patient's chances for a successful recovery, but can also significantly improve the patient's quality of life during treatment. Regular exercise can provide individuals who have cancer with energy and physical strength that would otherwise be drained during radiation or chemotherapy. This also allows them to successfully undergo more intense forms of treatment, furthering improving their prognosis.



After successfully completing cancer treatment, regular exercise is still important. This is true, naturally, for any individual, including individuals who have survived cancer, simply for good health. But, some evidence indicates that physical activity can also help reduce the possibility of the cancer's return, although further study is needed to confirm this in all cases. Regardless, staying physically active is extremely important -- before, during and after cancer treatment.



Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.