Benefits from Exercise for Cancer Patients
by: Liz Davies
People undergoing various cancer treatments suffer from numerous side effects ranging from an altered mindset, to exhaustion to insomnia. These side effects are less than enjoyable, but there are ways people with cancer can help themselves improve the symptoms. One way is to keep up with a daily exercise program.
Physical activity is in no way a cure for cancer but it has shown to improve an individual’s health both physically and psychologically. Exercise has already shown to aid in prevention of cancer but recently it has been linked to decreasing the intensity from cancer treatment side effects and the decreasing the likelihood of recurrence.
Cancer treatments, whether surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, obviously aid in killing cancer cells but they have severe effects on the human body. These treatments can kill healthy cells and tissue, making it difficult to recover. Because of this people undergoing cancer treatments are fatigued, stressed and irritable.
Exercise is a way to keep the body active, which in turn improves internal functions or the immune system, respiratory system and circulatory system. When internal functions are working at their highest target it is easier for someone with cancer to cope with therapy and treatments.
Mentally, cancer patients often reveal they feel like their life is uncontrollable when they first hear of their diagnosis. Creating a negative outlook on life after a diagnosis is an easy habit to fall into. When hope is lost, so is optimism.
This negativity inhibits the body to stay healthy. Studies show optimism is linked to healthier people and enables people to heal faster. There are different reasons people believe this but many studies reveal it is because there is a certain chemical balance that produces a hormone that allows the body to stay healthy.
Exercise is a way to produce endorphins which regulates other hormones which are necessary to regulate the other hormones which lead to optimism. Females are twice as likely to develop symptoms of depression so it is particularly vital for female patients to keep an eye on their mental health.
Cancer experts recommend for all patients to stay physically active before, during, and after treatments. This is central for people undergoing all types of treatment, whether it is surgery for breast cancer or chemotherapy for a mesothelioma. Exercise is a key part of the recovery process. Although it is easy to say how important exercise is, it is another thing to find the motivation to keep up with an exercise routine while there is so much on a cancer patient’s plate. Once the first steps are made and patients are able to see the benefits in their health then it becomes easier to find more motivation to keep going and work out more often.
About the author:
Liz Davies (healthylizd@gmail.com) is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Once you decide to take control of your health then you will want the best tools to help you achieve your goals...that is what I offer.
