7 Benefits Of Exercising With Cancer
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be difficult to comprehend and often feels overwhelming. It’s a moment in one’s life that can shake your sense of control and leave you feeling vulnerable. What most don’t know is that you can make a difference to your physical and emotional health through regular movement. Exercising with cancer forms a foundational pillar for treatment and research, now recognised as a core component for cancer care and cancer rehabilitation. Research has now proven that physical activity can improve strength, reduce fatigue, boost emotional well-being, and even enhance treatment outcomes. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or in remission, staying active offers real benefits at every stage.
7 benefits of exercising with cancer, no matter the stage you are in
Improved physical function
The treatments given to patients commonly come with side effects such as fatigue, muscle loss and reduced mobility. Physical activity plays a vital role in improving and maintaining strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. These allow ease of daily activities and reduce the risk of falls, while supporting overall well-being. Maintaining physical function is crucial during and after cancer treatment to preserve quality of life (Macmillan Cancer Support, n.d.; Exercise Right, 2023).
Reduced cancer-related fatigue
One of the most common and debilitating symptoms experienced from cancer is fatigue. What many don’t realise is that light and regular movement can significantly reduce fatigue levels. Short walks or gentle stretching can help reduce tiredness and improve energy levels throughout one’s day (NHS Inform, n.d.; Exercise Right, 2023).
Improved emotional health
During exercise, our body releases feel-good hormones known as endorphins, which combat anxiety, depression, and stress. Regular physical intervention means more endorphins are released, improving mood, boosting confidence, and reducing overall emotional distress. Cancer can be emotionally challenging at all stages, making exercise a valuable tool to use to help with emotional resilience (Macmillan Cancer Support, n.d.; Exercise Right, 2023).
Cardiovascular protection
Different cancer treatments can have varying impacts on cardiovascular health. With this in mind, it is important to maintain a routine through exercise to help support your cardiac function in order to regulate your blood pressure and improve circulation. Being regularly active reduces the risk of heart diseases and supports overall cardiovascular health, which minimises additional comorbidities to your cancer diagnosis (Cancer Research UK, n.d.).
Better tolerance to treatment
Staying active during chemotherapy and radiation has found to result in patients experiencing fewer side effects and can recover more quickly. Prehabilitation, known as pre-treatment or preparing the body through exercise prior to, can improve general fitness, and prepare clients physically and mentally for cancer treatment and often allow them to continue with a routine more regularly during treatment (Cancer Research UK, n.d.).
Improved sleep
Common side effects of treatment are insomnia and disrupted sleep. Incorporating regular exercise, better sleep, and overall quality of life can be improved as exercise can regulate sleeping patterns and reduce stress hormones (NHS Inform, n.d.).
Working with a cancer exercise specialist
For those currently experiencing cancer treatment or in the diagnosis stages, starting or continuing an exercise for cancer program is important to consider. There’s no one-size-fits-all, and programs must be personalised to your specific type, treatment stage and capacity. To achieve this, it is best to seek professional advice from an exercise physiologist or physio to guide you with a safe and effective prescription. At Longevity Health and Fitness, we specialise in creating safe, evidence-based plans for those exercising with cancer. Contact us today and let’s move forward, together.
