Physical activity (within reasonable limits) is an important “aid” to fight the disease, both on the physiological and psychological level. If earlier sports exercises were mentioned as a way of cancer prevention, recently scientists have emphasized their effectiveness for cancer patients.
There is a stereotype that people with cancer should be protected from exercise in every possible way. Research by the American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society) shows that exercise is not only safe during cancer treatment, but can also reduce the symptoms of the disease and improve the quality of life.
Who can do physical activity?
We know how weakness, fatigue and even apathy arise in the face of illness and treatment. The treatments themselves sometimes take a lot of energy and strength. But complete inactivity can exacerbate weakness, leading to muscle atrophy and other complications. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, the UK’s largest charity providing medical and information support to people with cancer, physical activity during treatment and rehabilitation has a positive effect on many side effects. These include: fatigue and stress, depression and weight loss, weakened bones and decreased muscle mass, poor sleep, weight and appetite loss, and constipation. Also, heart problems are caused by the effects of some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.
Dosed exercise is recommended even during chemotherapy, even though it is usually accompanied by chronic fatigue syndrome.
Regular sports training activates so-called “natural killer cells” – large granular lymphocytes with cytotoxicity against tumor cells.
Of course, before you start exercising, ask your doctor if you have any risk factors, limitations that may affect your exercise program.
What physical activity helps
Physical activity should be moderate, you should not do too difficult exercises, do not force yourself to work at the limit. Give yourself a rest when you feel you need it.
Physical activity helps:
- preventing muscle atrophy, strengthening muscle tone and increasing endurance;
- reducing side effects of treatment – such as osteoporosis and weight gain;
- increase energy and reduce fatigue;
- improved cardiovascular and respiratory function;
- reducing side effects of chemotherapy such as vomiting and nausea;
- improved appetite, digestion and sleep;
- a sense of newfound control over one’s life, decreased anxiety, improved mood, and increased self-esteem;
- reduced risk of blood clots;
- reduced dependence on others to perform simple tasks.
Training principles
If possible, physical activity should include exercises aimed at strengthening various muscle groups. You should always start with a simple three-minute warm-up, including shoulder rotation (if there are no contraindications), bringing your arms over your head and bending and extending your knees. At the end, it is necessary to “stretch” upwards, and then relax. Important elements in the overall complex of exercises: squats, flexibility, and resistance exercises.
It is better to combine sports that increase the endurance of the body (exercise bike, mini stepper, walking) and gymnastics (coordination and stretching exercises).
It’s worth setting short and long-term goals, celebrating your achievements and rewarding yourself for them.
According to Australian experts, the ideal result is 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week. You can “distribute” this time in any way you like – for example, half an hour of continuous exercise a day or three 10-minute sessions every day.
When physical activity is dangerous
- Low hemoglobin levels (anemia);
- Low white blood cell counts, sodium and potassium in the blood;
- Any pain, nausea, or vomiting;
- When taking blood thinning medications;
- Confused breathing;
- In burns from radiation therapy;
- When there is significant impairment of immune function;
- Peripheral neuropathy;
- In primary or metastatic bone cancer;
- In fever;
- In significant weight loss.
In the case of chemotherapy that causes heart rhythm disturbances, all physical activity must be avoided on the days of the treatment. During radiation therapy, do not swim in swimming pools with chlorinated water, as this may irritate the skin.
Specificity by type of disease
- Breast cancer
After surgery, with the permission of specialists, it is recommended to perform special exercises such as:
- Clenching and unclenching of the arm (with an object).
- Swinging and rotating the arm, throwing light objects.
- All types of swimming and light exercises are suitable.
What is contraindicated: sports with risk of falls, sudden movements or collisions.
- Prostate cancer
To combat urinary incontinence and impotence, it is necessary to strengthen the pelvic muscles:
- Squats with a straight back and legs still on the floor.
- Exercises to strengthen the gluteal muscles (e.g., pelvic raises with buttock compression).
- Squeezing a ball between the legs while sitting.
- Exercises on a trainer to train the drive muscles of the thigh.
What is contraindicated: water sports, cycling, team sports with collisions.
- Stomach and intestinal cancer
It is important to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles:
- Exercises should be performed only after consultation with a doctor.
- Exercises performed in the abdominal position and sudden bending and unbending should be avoided.
- Lung cancer
After lung surgery, special attention should be paid to breathing exercises:
- Breathing exercises and yoga aimed at muscle relaxation.
- Blood cancer (leukemia)
- You should do gentle physical activity during chemotherapy:
- Exercises to strengthen abdominal, back, and breathing muscles.
- Exercise bicycles and long walks.
What is not recommended: Swimming.
Conclusion
In conclusion, physical activity plays an important role not only in cancer prevention but also in treatment and rehabilitation. There is ample evidence that moderate physical activity helps to reduce the side effects of treatment, strengthen the body and improve the quality of life of patients. By consulting with your doctor, you can find safe and effective exercises that will help restore strength, endurance and overall harmony of body and mind. The main thing is to remember that physical activity should be adapted to the individual characteristics of each patient and not bring additional stress to the body.
