In the past, people with chronic illnesses like cancer were often
advised to rest and avoid physical activity. Today, many cancer
patients use exercise as part of their total treatment plan. Exercise
benefits cancer patients in the following ways:
* Improves their quality of life.
* Increases lean muscle mass and maintains strength.
* Reduces fat gain.
* Promotes overall better physical functioning which provides resilience to cancer.
* Improves self esteem, depression and anxiety.
* Instills a sense of accomplishment.
* Reduces risk of other chronic ailments by making the various physiological sytems more resilient.
* Increases circulation throughout the body.
* Lessens stress, depression and anxiety which are all common cancer traits.
* Improves the immune system which can result in improvement of the cancerous condition.
Many studies have shown that exercise reduces many of the unpleasant
side effects of both cancer and chemotherapy. Cancer patients who
exercise regularly report decreased nausea and fatigue as well as an
increased tolerance for normal activity and overall quality of life.
In addition to the physical improvements, cancer patients also
benefit emotionally. Exercise improves symptoms of depression,
confusion and anxiety. Other mental and emotional benefits include an
increased sense of accomplishment, feeling more independent and
experiencing a higher self esteem.
Exercise exerts it's mental effects by altering key brain
neurotransmitters which make us feel better, less anxious and less
depressed. One kind of these neurotransmitters, called endorphins, also
acts as a natural pain killer which can help cancer patients who
experience pain .
Cancer is an immune system disorder and moderate exercise has been
shown to boost the immune system by increasing the number of white
blood cells and killer T cells. It also induces favorable hormonal
changes which lower stress hormones, like cortisol, and promote healing.
Cancer is no different than other chronic conditions such as
diabetes or heart disease when it comes to the necessity of exercise.
Most experts are now recommending a low intensity/ moderate duration
program and then slowly building up the intensity rather than the time.
It's important to try several activities until you find one you reaaly
like. Cancer patients have many physical and emotional ups and downs.
If you are having a bad day the last thing you'll want to do is perform
some form of activity you don't like.
Physical activity can truly benefit the physiological and
psychological conditions of cancer patients. It can actually improve
the cancer itself. Exercise improves overall health, enhances the
immune system, helps gain muscle and and lose fat, and keeps emotional
spirits up. Simple moderate exercise programs are now becoming common
place as a part of many cancer treatment programs.
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