EXERCISE AND CANCER

The big C word that enters everyone’s lives at some stage, whether you have been diagnosed or know someone who is going through treatment.  It is estimated that in 2019, 144,713 news’s cases of Cancer will be diagnosed in Australia.

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2019

The risk factors associated with developing Cancer:

o   Sedentary Lifestyles

o   Smoking

o   Excessive Alcohol Consumption

o   Not being SunSmart

That’s 4 very easy lifestyle changes that can be made. Moderate exercise for 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day will reduce your likelihood of early mortality. This can be walking, swimming, hydrotherapy, strength training or cycling. There are many ways to make exercise fun and inviting to participate in.

Why Exercise During Cancer Treatment:

Exercise is beneficial during Cancer treatment. Physiologically exercise used alongside cancer treatment will help boost the immune systems natural cancer kills and help fight the cancer.

It will help with decreasing fatigue, improve mental health, maintain muscle size and strength, maintain bone density, improve pelvic floor dysfunction that can be related with cancer treatment and prostate cancer, and help women regain range of motion in shoulders after mastectomies and lymphotomies.

The amount of exercise that is recommended for you to do during your treatment will depend on the individual, your treatment and ability to participate in exercise, remember something is better than nothing.

We love helping people improve Quality of life during and post cancer treatment!