10 Things You Should Know About Cancer Exercise

Exercise is an important part of cancer rehabilitation

Exercise and Cancer Rehabilitation

Since exercise is one of the most effective methods of treating cancer and helping cancer survivors on their road to recovery, we wanted to share these important tips about cancer exercise.

1. Exercise is strongly recommended both during and after cancer treatments, and it is safe when you follow some safety guidelines.
2. Before starting an exercise program you should be screened for any physical limitations by a rehab professional such as a physiotherapist. Many problems such as restricted shoulder mobility, high blood pressure, or weakened postural muscles should be addressed before beginning any general exercise program.
3. It is important to monitor your heart rate throughout your workout. The general rule of thumb is that you want to keep your heart rate between 50% and 75% of your maximum heart rate.
4. Exercises should be modified to suit the individual. Anyone with bony metastases, for example, needs to minimize pressure on their bones and should be shown safe body positioning.
5. Do not exercise if you have a fever over 38°C or if your blood values contraindicate exercise. Please check with your doctor if you are unsure.
6. Be sure to take deep breaths, in and out, as you do each exercise. This helps with chest expansion and acts as a pumping action to improve circulation.
7. Exercise has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of lymphedema.
8. The research indicates that the best treatment for reducing cancer related fatigue is exercise, but when you are exhausted exercise is often difficult to do. You should start slowly, follow a regular routine that includes gradual increase and you will begin to notice a difference in a few weeks.
9. Moderate exercise will improve your quality of life. You will notice that your mood improves after exercising and so does your self esteem. You begin to feel stronger mentally and physically.
10. Most importantly, there is growing evidence indicating that increased physical activity will improve your chances of survival. To date, this evidence is strongest for breast and colorectal cancer patients and the recommended minimum is 30 minutes of moderate exercise, 6 days per week.

Cancer Rehabilitation Improves Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

Cancer Rehabilitation Benefits Optimal Recovery

Why aren't cancer patients routinely offered cancer rehabilitation services to help them return to normal life? These services are regularly provided for recovering cardiac patients and patients who had joint replacement surgery. Yet those people who have had cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgeries such as masectomy, are often not receiving cancer therapy or rehabilitation service despite the growing scientific evidence that it is very beneficial in obtaining optimal recovery.

Cancer Survivors Often Suffer From Disabilities Associated With Cancer Treatments

Cancer survivors benefit from client centered, active rehabilitation & empowerment

Cancer survivors often suffer from the side effects of their diagnosis and related treatment. Their functional impairments may include persistent fatigue, radiation fibrosis, chemotherapy fog, lymphedema, frozen shoulder and pain. Many of these conditions can be improved with interventions from a rehabilitation professional with specialized training, such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or massage therapist.

According to the Canadian Partners Against Cancer, there is estimated to be 1 million cancer survivors in Canada today, with that number expected to increase to over 2 million by 2020. Physical disability is a leading cause of distress in this population. It is critical that this population be appropriately screened and treated for their impairments, so that we minimize their disabilities and maximize their quality of life.

Cancer C.A.R.E. Provides Client Centered, Active Rehabilitation & Empowerment for Cancer Survivors

Judy Boivin, a registered physiotherapist and cancer survivor, will be blogging about ways that cancer survivors can feel better, stronger and happier. Judy has recently developed and implemented an evidence based cancer rehabilitation program at 24 LifeMark/Centric Health locations across Ontario. The program provides Client centered, Active, Rehabilitation and Empowerment for cancer survivors. This service is appropriate for anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis and is receiving or recovering from cancer treatment.