Understanding Cancer & the Benefits of Exercise
Exercise is of paramount importance in the treatment of cancer. Scientific studies consistently demonstrate unprecedented benefits of exercise throughout the cancer care continuum. There is no medicine or other medical therapy that can provide the benefits achieved from consistent exercise. Cancer patients who exercise not only have a significantly better life, they have a longer life. Self-empowerment experienced through exercise engenders reconciliation, renewed hope for the future, and peace.
Exercising during and following cancer treatment may achieve the following benefits:
- Improved survival of up to 50%
- Reduced fatigue
- Reduced incidence of chemo brain
- Mitigation of chemotherapy side effects
- Improved sensitivity of the cancer tumor to chemotherapy
- Less depression with improved self-esteem
- Improved brain function with reduced dementia
- Improved heart and lung function
- Reduced morbidity and mortality from co-existing diseases (hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung disease, Parkinson’s etc.)
- Improved bone and muscle mass
- Enhanced immune system in the same pathways as targeted therapy
Resources from other industry leaders supporting the positive effects of cancer exercise treatment:
- Cancer And Exercise (National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability)
- Exercise For Cancer Patients: Fitness After Treatment (WebMD)
- Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery (American Cancer Society)
- Eat Healthy And Get Active (American Cancer Society)
- Physical Activity And Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
- Fitness For Cancer Survivors (IDEA Health And Fitness Association)
- Cancer Prevention and Control (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Physical Activity and the Cancer Patient (American Cancer Society)
- Exercise and Cancer (Cancer Network)
- Exercise and Cancer Care Position Statement (Clinical Oncology Society of Australia)
- Exercise for Cancer Prevention (American Institute for Cancer Research)
- Cancer Perspectives: The Expert Is In (American Society of Clinical Oncology)
- Cancer Perspectives: The Expert Is In Part II (American Society of Clinical Oncology)