The Effects of Exercise on Specific Cancers

Over the past thirty years, a growing number of evidence-based scientific papers have compared patients who exercise to sedentary patients. In general, those exercising thirty or more minutes per day at a moderate to vigorous rate of activity will have an increase in survival, decreased risk for cancer recurrence or a new cancer, improved quality of life with less fatigue, a decrease in obesity and being overweight, and positive treatment benefits for those undergoing cancer therapy.

A recent study examining physical activity and its role in prevention of cancer found that physically active men and women have about a 30–40% reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer compared to inactive persons; thirty to sixty minutes of moderate to vigorous daily exercise decreased the risk.

Breast Cancer

Many studies have shown a relationship between physical activity and decreased risk of recurrent breast cancer. This may be partly due to better weight control and hormone effects.

The breast cancer evidence is reasonably clear that thirty to sixty minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity provides a 20–30% reduction in the risk of breast cancer compared to inactive women. A large study found that both lean and overweight breast cancer survivors who had increased activity levels showed a reduced risk of recurrence and/or death. Another study found that, one year after diagnosis, only 50% of breast cancer survivors had resumed their level of pre-diagnosis physical activity; for overweight patients the percentage was even greater.

Effect of Exercise on Hormones

There is a relationship between sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and exercise in postmenopausal women. Women who exercise regularly have 25–50% lower circulating estrone and androgen concentrations compared to sedentary women. Lower levels of estrogens have been associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer.

There is also increasing evidence that exercise influences other aspects of cancer, including: coping, rehabilitation, brain function, and survival both for women with breast cancer and for men with prostate cancer through effects on serum factors, such as sex hormones.

Prostate Cancer

American men who gain weight are at greater risk for prostate cancer, a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in men. Fortunately, 86% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have local or regional disease with about a 100% five-year relative survival.

A large medical study showed a reduced risk of prostate cancer in men who were most active. Another study found that physical activity was beneficial against both prostate cancer incidence and the progression of the disease in those already afflicted. Researchers suggest that regular vigorous activity can slow the progression of aggressive prostate cancer and may contribute to reduced prostate cancer mortality.

Colon Cancer

Physical activity has consistently been shown to decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer. The mechanism is not known, but it is believed by some that colon cancer risk is related to sedentary lifestyle and hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood insulin). Insulin and the insulin-like growth factor family have been associated with enhanced tumor growth.

Recent studies demonstrated that physical activity in patients with colorectal cancer stage I-III (non-metastatic) had a lower risk of developing recurrence and had a prolonged survival if they had increased physical activity.

In another study, women who were more physically active following a diagnosis of non-metastatic colorectal cancer had a significantly decreased risk of colorectal cancer-specific death, as well as death from any other cause. Patients who increased their activity above their pre-diagnosis level were found to have an approximately 50% reduction in mortality for both colorectal cancer and other causes.

Exercise Benefits for Cancer Patients

Physical fitness is healthy for everyone, of course, but it is essential for all cancer patients. The benefits of exercise in cancer prevention and treatment are documented in the medical literature. There are causal relationships between both exercise and prevention, and exercise and quantity and quality of life. Survivors must be convinced that even though it is hard to find the energy to exercise, the benefits of keeping your body in an active physical state are too great to ignore. Consider the following common benefits of exercise for cancer patients:

• Improved prognosis. When you are in better physical condition, you are better able to tolerate aggressive cancer treatments which can promote an increased chance for survival and cure.
• Prevention of muscle wasting and deconditioning while undergoing cancer treatments and even during prolonged periods of bed rest.
• Faster recovery following treatment if you exercise even when you are sick and/or bedridden. It helps prevent some of the dangers of bed rest like blood clots and bedsores.
• Better physical fitness promotes improved health and quality of life. It helps improve longevity, increase survival, and decrease risk of death for breast, prostate and colon cancer.

Motivational Tips to Get Started

• Follow a simple program.
• Work with a class, group or with friends or family.
• Use guided audiotapes, videotapes or DVDs with encouraging professionals leading the exercises.
• Realize that any amount of exercise is better than none.
• Use charts to monitor your progress or increased activity.
• Make up an exercise kit with weights, rubber stretchers (resistance bands) and spongy balls that will help challenge muscles.
• Follow a program with various stages of exercise to correlate with your wellness status, which can also be used throughout treatment.
• Purchase exercise equipment for home or join a gym. A stationary bicycle, rowing machine, treadmill and stepping machine are just a few options. Survivors can also walk briskly, swim, play tennis, or engage in some other sport.

Exercise & Weight Loss

Diet and exercise are the essential combination to achieve weight loss for those who are overweight or obese; yet it can also be a prescription for cancer prevention.

A very large medical study found that those who exercised more had a 22% reduced risk of colon cancer, and those who maintained a normal weight obtained the greatest cancer preventive benefits versus those who were overweight or obese. Brisk walking or running or strenuous housework such as vacuuming, scrubbing floors and cleaning windows helped burn off extra calories.

Exercise & Cancer Treatment Side Effects

Most individuals can tolerate well-prescribed exercise programs both during and following treatment. However, individuals can vary greatly in experiences with treatment-related symptoms. Symptoms may vary with time and range from mild to severe, hindering exercise regimens to different degrees. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Nausea/vomiting. For individuals undergoing treatment, nausea and vomiting were at one time the most troubling symptoms. These symptoms can now be more successfully managed with drugs, acupressure, acupuncture and proper nutrition. Please consult your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.
• Fatigue. Both physiological and psychological factors may contribute to fatigue, which is now considered one of the foremost cancer treatment-related challenges. Because so many factors may contribute to fatigue, it can be difficult to manage. However, fatigue may be positively impacted by exercise due to the mood-elevating quality and many other physiological changes it produces. If you are experiencing fatigue, set a realistic time goal (even 5 minutes can produce results) and know that after that time you can quit and rest if you like. Walking is a good activity to engage in when in this situation.

Read more health articles in Healing Through Diet or Tips for Healthy Living.

Posted in Cancer Treatment, Recovering from Cancer, Senior Fitness, Senior Health, Tips for Healthy Living