The new ‘wonder-drug’ for cancer
Professor Sanchia Aranda, director of cancer services and information at the Cancer Institute NSW talks about the importance of exercise in improving survival from cancer.
For most of us, the natural instinct when we are sick is to
rest, especially if the sickness is cancer and fatigue its most
common complication. But, evidence suggests that one of the best
ways to prevent or minimise cancer fatigue is to maintain as much
normal activity as possible during and after treatment.
And, yes, that means exercise.
Move More: A new study by British
advocacy group Macmillan Cancer Support, is calling exercise a
'wonder drug', with evidence that it not only combats fatigue,
depression and anxiety, but that two-and-half-hours per week
significantly reduces the risk of people with breast, prostate and
bowel cancers dying from their disease.
The group is calling for exercise to be incorporated into
standard cancer care, as part of clinical guidelines and quality
standards, supported by subsidised gym programs and facilities
specifically for people with cancer.
The advice that people with cancer should
rest and take it easy is outdated and health professionals have an
obligation to promote evidence of the clinical benefits of
exercise.
How would this work in the Australian setting?
Australians are leading increasingly sedentary lives and obesity
rates are alarming, despite the rapidly growing fitness industry.
With Australians failing to take on the exercise message, how much
harder is it to sell exercise to someone undergoing treatment for
cancer?
The advice that people with cancer should rest and take it easy
is outdated and health professionals have an obligation to promote
evidence of the clinical benefits of exercise, such as the reduced
risk of infection, deep vein thrombosis and loss of muscle mass
should resonate.
What better opportunity for clinicians to encourage an active
lifestyle than at a time when patients are receptive to new ideas
and motivated to make changes? People with cancer regularly ask
what they can do to keep themselves well, while health
professionals struggle with the response to this question. Clearly,
promoting a healthy diet and increased activity are ideal self-care
messages.
It's important patients feel encouraged and supported to talk to
their doctor, nurse or physiotherapist about what exercise is
suitable for them during and after cancer treatment. In general,
the person with cancer is the best guide on the level of exercise
that feels right for them. They should be encouraged to
increase their exercise, but not to the point of exhaustion.
Friends and family members are also an important help and are
often looking for things they can do to help their loved one get
well. Families are in an ideal position to go for a walk with the
person being treated for cancer, to help them maintain independence
and keep active, rather than always rushing to do things for them
that reduce the amount of exercise and activity severely. A family
exercise prescription will have benefits for everyone!
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