Exercise Benefits Cancer Patients and Survivors
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
There is emerging evidence that increasing physical activity improves the quality of life of cancer survivors as well as patients who are still in treatment.
Bernardine Pinto, PhD, a researcher with The Miriam Hospital’s Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, was one of 13 cancer and exercise experts asked to review the scientific evidence and develop guidelines for patients who are undergoing active treatment for cancer or who have completed treatment.
“Historically, physicians have counseled their cancer patients to rest and avoid physical activity, especially when they’re in treatment. However, emerging research clearly shows that exercise improves the everyday functioning and quality of life of cancer survivors and can also ease some of the unpleasant cancer-related side effects, like fatigue,” she says.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTNew guidelines issued last month by the American College of Sports Medicine callfor cancer patients and survivors to exercise for as much as 150 minutes a week. Some patients who are receiving chemotherapy or other treatments may not have the stamina to do this, but the current recommendations are to be as active as possible.
Clinicians and fitness professionals are encouraged to tailor activity to the individual cancer patient, since cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect numerous body systems – including bone and joints – that are required for many forms of exercise.
“Our hope is that cancer exercise rehabilitation programs will become as common as cardiac rehabilitation programs that are offered to people who have had heart attacks or undergone heart surgery,” says Pinto.
Researchers with The Miriam Hospital’s Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, including Pinto, are leading several studies looking at the role of physical activity in cancer recovery. For more information, call (401) 793-8000.
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