Exercise- The Latest Wonder Drug for Cancer Patients

I just received the following from a reader.  I think it fits right in to what I've been talking about so I've included it here.


Exercise- The Latest Wonder Drug for Cancer Patients. by David Haas

The leading UK charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, recently released a report echoing previous data linking the benefits of exercise to cancer patients. Early studies involved patients. Since then, additional studies have expanded to include patients undergoing treatment for just about every major form of cancer. A similar study by the UCLA Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology found that any type of physical activity may be beneficial for patients at any stage of cancer, from initial diagnosis through remission and recovery. The latest wonder drug for cancer patients may be exercise.

Recommendations on the exact amount of exercise necessary to be beneficial vary. One recommendation is 150 per week. However, most medical experts cited in the studies, note that any amount of regular exercise can help cancer patients be more receptive to treatment. A study involving prostate cancer patients found that the risk of dying dropped 30 percent among patients exercising on a regular basis. Breast cancer studies found a 40 percent reduction in recurrence. Studies show exercise can also reduce the risk of developing some forms of cancer, such as colon cancer. Exercise is also helpful in reducing some side effects of cancer treatment, including fatigue and depression. Exercise has a positive effect for patients undergoing treatment for rare forms of cancer as well, such as mesothelioma. Some patients experience a reduction in symptoms when mesothelioma treatment includes regular forms of exercise.

The exercise a patient gets doesn't have to be anything too strenuous. Even tasks such as working in the garden, going for a brisk walk, yoga or swimming can count as exercise and be equally beneficial. The Macmillan report found that more than half of health care professionals, including nurses, doctors and general practitioners, fail to inform patients of the potential benefits of some form of physical exercise during the treatment and recovery process. Those endorsing exercise for cancer patients point out that an exercise routine can be modified during different stages of treatment to fit a patient's needs. Some hospitals and medical facilities organize exercise groups specifically for patients. This provides added support along with the health benefits of regular physical activity in comfortable setting.

It is important to understand that exercise is not meant as a replacement for a patient's existing course of treatment, nor is it implied that exercise can cure any form of cancer. Patients should check with their doctor prior to starting any regular exercise routine. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 11 million Americans have some form of cancer. The American Cancer Society also advocates an active lifestyle to help reduce the risk of cancer and during treatment to lessen the physical strain during the recovery process.

David Haas is a cancer patient advocate and the awareness program advocate for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. He researches and writes to help people going through cancer. You can find more of his writing at http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/david/