Comprehensive Cancer Centers looks at how being active with exercise, rather than avoiding physical activity, during cancer treatment helps many people improve treatment outcomes.
Cancer patients used to be advised to rest and avoid physical activity like exercise during treatment to save energy to improve treatment outcomes. That advice, however, is now considered outdated and even potentially harmful. Comprehensive Cancer Centers concurs with experts who understand that being active is not just safe for cancer patients, it’s essential. Regular movement is recognized as a powerful tool in care and recovery. Regular exercise during cancer treatment is now recognized as essential.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers highlights how physical activity for cancer recovery improves outcomes and reduces fatigue. Oncology experts agree that movement is medicine. Whether you’re looking to prevent cancer, are in the middle of treatment, or are focused on survivorship, exercise plays a critical role in improving outcomes and overall health.
Exercise triggers several biological changes in the body that directly help fight cancer:
- Immune System Boost: When engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, the body releases a surge of immune cells, including Natural Killer (NK) cells and T-lymphocytes. They patrol the bloodstream and can detect and destroy cancer cells before they can spread and form new tumors.
- Improved Glucose Regulation: Cancer cells are known for their insatiable appetite for sugar. This phenomenon is known as the Warburg Effect. Regular exercise helps lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. When being active, muscles absorb glucose from the blood, depriving cancer cells of the sugar they need to grow.
- Myokines and Tumor Growth: Muscle cells, when they contract during exercise, release chemicals called myokines, such as IL-6 and SPARC. These myokines have been found to have anti-cancer effects by directly inhibiting the growth of certain tumors. They also reduce overall inflammation, a great benefit for all health issues.
Exercise During Treatment: Combating Fatigue
Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy and radiation, often causes a side effect known as Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF). Unlike regular tiredness, CRF doesn’t go away with rest or sleep. In fact, too much bed rest can make it worse by causing muscle loss (sarcopenia), which contributes to more fatigue.
The solution is to stay active, but in a way that matches the patient’s current energy level. Here’s the recommended movement prescription for cancer patients during treatment:
- Aerobic Activity: Activities like brisk walking or cycling for at least 150 minutes per week can help maintain heart health and increase endurance. They may also help the body manage the stress caused by chemotherapy medications.
- Resistance Training: Strength training, including lifting weights or using resistance bands two or three times a week, preserves muscle and bone strength. This is important for patients undergoing hormone therapy, which has been shown to reduce bone density.
- Flexibility and Balance: Many cancer treatments cause peripheral neuropathy, which leads to numbness in the hands and feet, making even basic movement difficult. Exercises focusing on balance and flexibility help reduce risks of falls and improve overall stability.
Survivorship: Reducing the Risk of Recurrence
For those who have finished cancer treatment, exercise is the most effective way to lower the risk of cancer returning. Studies have shown that physical activity can reduce the chances of recurrence for cancers like breast, colon, and prostate. Exercise also helps mitigate long-term side effects of cancer treatment, such as chemo-brain (cognitive fog). This happens because exercise increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the growth and repair of brain cells and neural pathways, helping to restore mental clarity and memory.
A Lifelong Prescription for Exercise
The growing body of evidence highlights the importance of exercise at all stages of cancer care, from prevention to treatment and beyond. Far from being something to avoid, physical activity is now viewed as an essential part of the cancer journey. Whether you are in the midst of treatment, recovering, or hoping to prevent a recurrence, regular exercise offers critical benefits. By embracing movement, you are giving your body the tools it needs to fight cancer, recover faster, and reduce the chance of it coming back. Movement is indeed medicine.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for patients with cancers with all treatments being done in Southern Nevada. To schedule an appointment, please call 702-952-3350.
The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
