Cancer and Exercise Benefits: Live Your Best Life

December 15, 2009

Cancer and Exercise Benefits: Live your Best Life

By Linda T. Gottlieb, MA, CPT, CCET

We may have all read that exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer.  In reality, exercise is reputed to reduce the risk of many cancers, yet some of us, no matter how diligent in our regimes, will, and do get this disease. The good news is exercise, even with a cancer diagnosis, may help speed the recovery process and decrease the chance of recurrence going forward. 

As a certified cancer exercise trainer, I have followed clinical and anecdotal research regarding the impact of regular exercise on those dealing with treatment of this disease, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.  Also not to be dismissed are the positive effects of exercise for the overwhelming psychological stress caused by day to day living with this disease and the tendency to lose one’s self in the medical process.

A recent review by the American Cancer Society found that research involving women affect by breast cancer found the following benefits from exercise:

• improved physical fitness

• higher self-esteem

• lower levels of anxiety, depression, and fatigue

Additional research supports the benefit of exercise as a treatment for breast cancer, examining the relationship between exercise, rehabilitation, and quality of life.  Improved body image, less nausea during chemotherapy, and decreased emotional distress has also been reported.

The message is becoming clearer every day; including exercise in a course of cancer treatment and recovery is beneficial and should be encouraged.  Starting slow and conservatively with your clinician’s approval and a trained professional is recommended.

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