Cancer and Exercise

[Guest guest]

CANCER & EXERCISE

 

Although doctors normally advise cancer patients to rest, a study

carried out at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre found that light

exercise (walking) can improve overall health. Of 123 cancer

patients, one third were asked to take walks regularly for an hour 3-

5 times a week, one third did supervised walks either on a treadmill

or a track at the centre, and one third only rested. Even though most

of the patients were taking adriamycin, a cancer chemotherapy drug

that can have side effects on the heart, those who exercised more

showed better heart conditioning and overall benefits such as

improved physical energy, and/or enhanced functional capacity, with

improvement in the quality of life and psychological state (such as

improved outlook and sense of well being, enhanced sense of

commitment and the ability to meet the challenges of cancer and

cancer treatment). Although all the exercisers benefited, those who

walked independently fared better (Journal of Clinical Oncology,

February 2001). A separate study published in the journal Chronic

Diseases In Canada has offered evidence linking regular physical

activity with a reduced risk of colon and breast cancer - strong

enough to warrant making physical activity an integral part of cancer

prevention strategies. The authors say " We now have the consensus of

scientific experts that physical activity should be a key component

of cancer prevention " and recommend that people should take 30-45

minutes of moderate to vigorous activity on most days of the week.

Increased physical activity also can help prevent other chronic

diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.

 

Be well.

 

Patrick

 

http://www.geocities.com/naturalhealingcancer