Exercise and The C- Word: Cancer

Often a taboo subject, research shows that for most people exercise is safe and helpful before, during, and after cancer treatment. So, let's explore.

After completing a course on advanced prescription and programming for patients going through and post treatment, Margi shares the importance of exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through all stages and answers a few common questions regarding exercising with cancer.

Now I know a lot of people don’t like to talk about this subject, but unfortunately one in 2 Australians will receive a cancer diagnosis by the age of 85. Although treatment has advanced, and survival rates are increasing the major issue is the side effects caused by the treatment.

These side effects of treatment include:

• Decreased bone mass and stress

• A decline in physical function and quality of life

• Decreased muscle mass and strength

• Decreased sleep both hours and quality

• Increased risk of other cancers

• Increased anxiety, stress and depression

Exercise has been scientifically shown to help all of these side effects, although the jury is still out on bone mass and strength.

There are many physical advantages to exercising even during treatment, but the mental side also plays a huge part. I have been touched to be able to work with and trusted by some amazing people through their treatment, and a lot of them have personally told me it’s the mental side that really gets you.

Exercise and group classes become an outlet, a safe place where you begin to regain your physical function but also retain your sanity.

Why are we told not to exercise?

Unfortunately, there are those out there that still believe that exercise is detrimental to your health during or post treatment for a significant amount of time. Thankfully this is a small minority, and most oncologists and doctors now prescribe exercise along with treatment to help manage the symptoms. I will say here there are special cases when exercise is not a good idea at that time, for example when you’re in treatment and immune system is almost at zero. It’s not a great idea to be going to the gym during flu season or through the COVID pandemic, but these can always be worked around which brings me to my next point.

Why is it important to see a professional?

Here at TMR Rehab, we specialise in exercise prescription for many conditions and issues. When you are in treatment or even post treatment, your body is changing or has changed. Your strength, endurance has changed, and depending on treatment, there may be a will few other physical and psychological issues that need to be addressed. Programs can be altered to suit your individual needs as no one is the same or responds the same in treatment in the same manner. Some exercises might be too hard or too easy or you might be having variations in your blood pressure, changes in sensation and be experiencing dizziness or nausea as a side effect of treatment. All these things need to be accounted for and programmed for and that’s what we do. Provide a safe, individualized programs to optimize your recovery and help you through your journey.

I used to be able to do that and now I can’t!

We have worked with patients that have been former triathletes that are going through treatment and may over do it because they want to get back to where they were before their diagnosis. You need to let your body recover and stick by these simple guidelines, both during and post treatment. Cancer guidelines are very similar to our normal programming guidelines. We are aiming for 150 minutes of low-moderate intensity exercise with 2-3 days of resistance training. This is guideline/goal, so even if we start off with small increments that we can handle, it’s better than doing nothing.

Unfortunately, 62% of people with cancer are not meeting guideline or have become sedentary. Given that 75-90% of people over 45 do not perform any strengthening exercise it is easy to understand why cancer patients are also not meeting recommendations given the additional stressors on the body and time implications with treatment.

I'm tired, bloated, swelling and you want me to exercise?

Getting the average population to exercise is difficult, trying to get someone who has been through radiation and chemo with all the side effects, can often be near impossible. But, and there’s always a big but, exercising helps with these side effects and can help reduced a lot of them. The right program will always account for weeks when you are doing chemotherapy and reduce the intensity of the program. And this is one thing I always stress to my patients, there will always be a week, or a few, when you are totally and 110% exhausted and that's okay.

Issues relating to cancer treatment such as lack of time, tiredness and cost contribute to 50% of missed exercise sessions. It’s about managing your program as a whole and not beating yourself up if you have to miss a few sessions.

Should I exercise in in stage 4?

Absolutely, yes, but carefully and again this is where the advice of a professional is very important. We tend to wrap a lot of patients in cotton wool, but we forget that they are still doing their best to live their normal lives. They are still picking up the kids, grabbing the groceries, running after the dog and kicking the ball down the park. It's just as important for people in advanced stages to still be completing a structured exercise program for both the physical and emotional advantages.

Where to now?

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about exercising with cancer and after treatment feel free to send through any questions or get in contact today. Or for further information regarding some amazing research and information in the article check out ECU website.

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