It is estimated that approximately 151,000 Australians were diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and approximately 1 million people living with cancer in the country.
However, cancer survivorship is continually on the rise with 70% of people diagnosed with cancer surviving the past 5 years. This can be due to improvements in treatments, understanding of the risk factors associated with cancer development and earlier screenings leading to an earlier diagnosis.
Exercise can play an important role in the treatment and recovery phases of cancer.
Pre-treatment: If possible, exercise before starting treatment can help to optimise treatments being undertaken, as well as decrease the risk of side effects from treatments, and may even facilitate a faster recovery post-surgery.
During treatment: The primary role exercise plays during cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, is to minimise the impact, number, and severity of treatment-related side effects. Side effects such as pain, fatigue, loss of muscular strength and anemia.
Post-treatment: Exercising post-treatment may allow for a quicker recovery time and management of long-term side effects, particularly fatigue. Continuing to live an active lifestyle post-treatment can help to decrease the risks of cancer reoccurring, developing new cancers, and may help to reduce the impact of other chronic diseases.
What kind of exercise should I do?
The safest way to exercise is to start at an appropriate level and gradually increase to the recommended duration and intensity of 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, which can be done with the help of an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
Exercise types should include aerobic exercise. This can include things like walking, cycling, swimming, or using a set of portable pedals as seen in the attached video. Participating in this kind of exercise increases your heart rate, which can help improve fatigue levels, improve mood by decreasing feelings of depression and anxiety and help to decrease the chance of other preventable conditions developing, such as cardiovascular disease. Strength training can also be beneficial and includes exercises using body weight, or equipment like dumbbells and resistance bands. Strength training helps to improve and maintain muscular strength, physical functioning and improve balance.
These exercise programs should be individualised and adapted to each individual according to past and current fitness levels, and the type of treatments being undertaken. Programs should seek to include other forms of exercise that may be beneficial. This might include balance exercises for those that experience chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and stretching for those finding they have limited movements and range after major surgeries, such as mastectomies.
If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, contact us at Move Better for Life, to find out how we can assist you throughout your cancer treatment and recovery.
Written by Rachael Smart
Exercise Physiologist
Move Better for Life Tamworth
At Move Better for Life, our focus is on keeping you fit and healthy. If you’re in pain, feeling unmotivated or looking to improve your overall wellbeing, we are here for you. Our team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists will help you achieve your physical health goals.
Depending on the current circumstances, we can assist you within the comfort of your own home or face-to-face. Make a change today by clicking here.
References
- https://www.cancer.net/survivorship/healthy-living/exercise-during-cancer-treatment (Cancer.net – Exercise During Cancer Treatment)
- www.exerciseismedicine.come.au – Exercise and Cancer
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Cancer in Australia 2021
- Cancercouncil.com.au – Treatment Side effects and Exercise
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia position statement: Exercise medicine in cancer management
