Cancer Patients and the Benefits of Exercise
The wide variety of benefits that are acquired from daily physical activity for people undergoing cancer treatment is indisputable. There are various general health benefits that range from maintaining the health or muscles, joints and bones to weight management, to overall psychological well-being. These prove to be tremendously helpful for cancer patients during rigorous cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation which can have very negative symptoms on the human body.
But, the most important positive advantage of physical activity are the psychological benefits. These are crucial because cancer is such an emotionally difficult disease. The psychological health of cancer patients is often ignored because a focus is placed on keeping an eye on the status of the cancer. Exercise is also shown to improve patients confidence in their self-image, which is often lowered by symptoms from chemotherapy and different surgeries. This confidence will help people undergoing cancer treatments the self-assurance to tackle high levels of stress, anxiety and depression which frequently occur as side effects from typical forms of cancer treatments.
Breast cancer is one type of cancer that has been researched in reference to exercise the most. They have found improved survival rates and lower rates of re-occurrence in women who exercised moderately (moderate exercise is considered the equivalent of walking 3 to 5 hours per week at an standard pace). Although not all cancers have had the same amount of research done when it comes to these findings, studies are currently being conducted and it is presumed that they will show positive results for people suffering from other types of cancers as well.
In order to stay motivated with a workout routine, patients should adhere to a plan that works with their existing level of physical ability so it will be easy to integrate into their everyday life. It is also important to choose exercises that are considered enjoyable for the patient this will also ensure that the routine is carried out. Swimming, walking, running, pilates, and yoga all have the ability to be adjusted to different fitness levels and are usually found enjoyable. Another way to stay motivated is to find support groups and personal trainers that work specifically with cancer patients.
These tips are great for people going through all types of cancer treatments whether it is colon cancer, skin cancer or mesothelioma, exercise is an excellent way to move past all of the stresses that cancer creates.
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.
