Exercise and Cancer

Lorain Giannico
Outline
Cancer review

Exercise and Cancer prevention

Exercise and Cancer survival

Exercise prescription for Cancer patients and survivors

Summary
Cancer review
A disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body

tissue

It can start in any part of the body

Many types of cancer

Cancer review
Risk of metastasis

Spread of the cancer cells

Different stages of cancer

1 to 4

Can be treated
Cancer review
Risk factors associated with cancer:

Tobacco use: lung, mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, pancreas,

kidney, bladder, uterine, cervix.

Nutrition: may reduce risk of breast, colon, other common cancers

Cancer review
Physical activity / exercise: reduces risk of colon, breast, prostate,

lung and pancreatic cancers

Sun exposure: melanoma, other skin cancers

Occupational, environmental carcinogens: multiple forms

Risky sexual activity: cervical, other reproductive system cancer

Cancer review
Cancer treatments and typical effects:

surgery: pain, diminished flexibility, amputation, motor / sensory

nerve damage

radiation: diminished flexibility in exposed joints, scarring of heart

and/or lungs

chemotherapy: peripheral nerve damage, cardiomyopathy,

Exercise and Cancer prevention
Lowers levels of hormones

Reduces inflammation

Improves immune system function

Alters the metabolism of bile acids

Exercise and Cancer survival
Very beneficial

Feel better overall

Less nausea, less pain from chemotherapy and treatments

Lower risk of cancer returning

Exercise prescription for cancer patients

Very subjective

Depends on: stage and type of cancer, type of treatment, fitness level

and age

Start with low intensity such as walking

Always talk to a doctor before starting an exercise program

Exercise prescription for cancer survivors
Regular physical activity program

Some modifications

Aim to exercise at least 150 minutes per week

Include strength training exercises at least 2 times/week

Summary
Exercise improves :

cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, body composition, fatigue, anxiety, depression,

self-esteem, happiness, and several quality of life factors in cancer survivors.

Talk to your doctor before exercise

Start slowly
Summary
Short periods of exercise

frequent rest breaks

Exercise large muscle groups

Increase flexibility exercises

Warm up
Journal article #1 - Exercise and Cancer Prevention
The data are clear in showing that physically active men and women have

about a 30-40% reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer, compared

with inactive persons. Although the data are sparse, it appears that 30-60

min.d(-1) of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity is needed to

decrease risk.
Journal article #2 - Exercise and Cancer Survival
Exercise prescriptions should be individualized according to a cancer

survivors pretreatment aerobic fitness, medical comorbidities, response to

treatment, and the immediate or persistent negative effects of treatment that

are experienced at any given time.

Journal article #3 - Exercise Prescription for Cancer
Patients
The majority of these side effects appear amenable to improvement through

regular exercise, and the research that has been conducted with cancer

survivors indicates that exercise can be an effective tool in the rehabilitation

of cancer patients.
References
IM, Lee, PhD. Physical activity and cancer prevention--data from
epidemiologic studies. Nov 2003

Kathryn H. Schmitz, PhD. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

2010

Timothy, Burnham, PhD. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

2002

Indian. J, Med Paediatr Oncol. Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric

Oncology

Victoria Mock, DNSc. The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.