5 Tips to Keep Cancer Patients Active

Motivation to exercise is important when you can't exercise or feel too tired to exercise

Can't Exercise? Too Tired to Exercise?

The evidence supporting exercise for cancer patients is undeniable. However, sometimes we feel we can't exercise or are too tired to exercise. Although we know we need to be physically active, it is often very difficult to stick to it.

How to Stay Motivated to Exercise

As a physiotherapist and cancer survivor myself, I can certainly appreciate both sides. On those days when my "get up and go" has "got up and left", I put on my physiotherapy hat and recall some of the tips I have learned over the years that help me stay motivated and physically active. Here are a few things to consider:

• Exercise with a friend. If I have someone waiting to meet me at the gym I am far more likely to go, and my friend usually appreciates me encouraging them to be there too.
• Vary your exercise routine to avoid boredom. I like to try something different each day of the week, but also change it up with the seasons.
• Exercise outdoors whenever you can. It just feels healthier to me to be breathing fresh air and enjoying the scenery, regardless of whether it is 20 below or 20 above.
• Record your exercise achievements, so that you can track your progress. There are some cool apps for tracking walking and running progress now, that make this easy and fun.
• Identify barriers to exercise and work to overcome them. One example of this is using urban walking poles to give you confidence to walk further or on uneven terrain when your balance might be slightly impaired.

How Physiotherapists Can Help

Physiotherapists are trained to help individuals with a variety of disabilities overcome their barriers to being physically active. Physiotherapists have heard every excuse in the book as to why someone cannot exercise. In most cases, modifications can be made to create a safe and effective exercise program for just about anyone. It may definitely be worthwhile to consult a physiotherapist during or after your cancer treatment to develop a physical activity plan with achievable goals.

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What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema Experienced as a Side Effect by Many Breast Cancer Survivors

Lymphedema is a protein rich swelling caused by a defect or blockage in the lymphatic system. It is seen as a side effect experienced by many breast cancer survivors who have undergone cancer treatment. Lymphedema presents with a feeling of heaviness or achiness of the affected limb because of the accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the lymphatic vessels and affected lymph nodes. The reason lymphedema is so dangerous is the risk of developing infection in the affected limb. Areas affected by lymphedema are prone to infection, since bacteria can grow easily in protein-rich lymphatic fluids.

Laurel Osborne, RMT performs lymphatic drainage at LifeMark Physio on Bay

"Best Kept Secret in the World of Cancer"

Even though its dangers are widely acknowledged within the medical and clinical communities, lymphedema is still not an everyday term. According to the Lymphedema Chronicles, lymphedema is the best kept secret in the world of cancer. "Many women do not even hear the word lymphedema nor receive any instructions for precautions to lessen their risks of developing lymphedema. Additionally, for the women who do develop lymphedema, they are hard pressed to find information let alone where to find treatment," cites author Carol Enters.

At LifeMark Health/Cancer Rehab Canada, we urge early rehabilitation treatment for cancer patients and cancer survivors to lower their risk of developing lymphedema. It is vitally important to manage signs and symptoms early, and through physiotherapy exercise, manual lymph drainage, bandaging and other education and techniques, lymphedema can be effectively managed.

Lymphedema is Manageable With The Proper Treatment

"Lymphedema is a manageable condition. With the proper treatment measures and ongoing home care, lymphedema can be reduced and maintained so that swelling remains minimal", says Laurel Osborne, RMT at LifeMark Physiotherapy on Bay.

As an integral part of the immune system, the lymphatic system fights infection and removes toxins from body tissues.

Lymphedema can happen when lymph vessels are damaged and damaged lymph nodes cannot handle the lymph fluid. If lymph nodes aren't functioning properly, the vessels can no longer stretch and they become enlarged, causing pressure on the lymph vessels. When this goes on for a long time, the vessels can no longer carry lymph fluid, so the lymph collects in nearby tissue.


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