5 scientific reasons to exercise if you have cancer
Associate Professor Prue Cormie is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University.
Cancer affects many older adults with one in two men and one in three women likely to be diagnosed by their 85th birthday. For many people, cancer and its treatment cause a range of health problems that impede physical, mental and social wellbeing. Years of scientific investigation has established exercise as an invaluable tool to help cancer patients counteract these problems.
Here are five reasons that are backed by scientific research why exercise should be incorporated as a standard component of cancer care:
1. Exercise may help you live longer
People with breast, prostate and colorectal cancer who exercise regularly are approximately 10 to 60 per cent less likely to die from their cancer than those who don’t exercise. Regular exercise may also reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and the risk of developing some new cancers.
2. Exercise minimises the physical declines caused by cancer
Cancer and its treatment can cause significant physical impairments that limit the ability to perform everyday tasks. Exercise can minimise the severity of these declines and rehabilitate physical function following treatment. Improvements in strength, fitness and balance help make normal activities easier to perform. Exercise can also help reduce the severity of pain and negative changes in body weight, especially the loss of muscle and gains in fat mass.
3. Exercise helps counteract cancer-related fatigue
Even though it may seem counterintuitive, regular exercise helps reduce the persistent fatigue experienced by many cancer patients. Cancer patients who exercise regularly report higher levels of energy and vitality.
4. Exercise helps manage mental distress
Regular exercise helps fight the depression, anxiety and stress commonly experienced by people with cancer. Exercise leads to improved mood and increased levels of happiness in cancer patients. Many patients also report that exercise helps clear their mind.
5. Exercise improves quality of life
Research has consistently shown that appropriately prescribed and monitored exercise leads to significant improvements in cancer patients’ quality of life. These improvements are not just related to physical health but also mental health and social wellbeing.
Do you believe in the powers of exercise when you or your loved ones are sick? Let us know in the comments below.
For more information, watch Associate Professor Prue Cormie’s TED talk about exercise as a new contender in the fight against cancer here and view the question and answer session here.
To maximize the safety and effectiveness of your exercise regime seek advice from an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP). AEPs are university qualified health professionals that specialise in prescribing exercise to people with chronic diseases whose services are eligible for rebates from Medicare and private health insurers. Search for an accredited exercise physiologist in your area here.
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