Incorporating Exercise while Undergoing Cancer Treatment

Exercise is a vital part of cancer treatment, and it can offer many wonderful benefits for patients. It helps to manage the side effects of treatment, makes treatment more effective, and reduces long-term co morbidities and cancer reoccurrence. In a recent study on exercising and cancer, it was shown that exercise can help to prevent or delay the development of cancer in some people. Other studies have found that exercise can help to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, with increases in physical function, mental well-being, and social functioning. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of exercise in cancer care, and we will provide some tips on how to get started.

Talk to your doctor or cancer care team about what types of exercise are safe for you.
They can help you create an exercise plan that is tailored to your needs. Remember, start slow and gradually increase the intensity as you are able. And always listen to your body – if something hurts, stop. Some treatments will mean that you need to avoid certain movements or reduce intensity for a period.

Find an activity that you enjoy, and make it a part of your regular routine.
There are many different ways to exercise, and it is important to find an activity that you enjoy and can stick with. Some patients may prefer to exercise alone, while others may prefer to exercise with a group. There are also many different types of exercise classes available, such as yoga, Pilates and aerobics, as well as classes specific to cancer patients.

Set realistic goals, and celebrate your accomplishments along the way.​It is important to set realistic goals when starting an exercise program. For example, if you have not been active for a while, you may not be able to run a marathon right away. Start with smaller goals, such as walking for 30 minutes three times per week. As you become more fit, you can gradually increase your goals. Remember that 10 minutes is better than zero minutes, and seeing results takes time. Tracking where you start can help you to see improvement, and keep you motivated to keep going!

What is the best exercise for cancer patients?
There are many different types of exercise that can be beneficial for cancer patients. Some exercises types may be recommended by a healthcare provider include walking, jogging, swimming, biking, and strength training. Most types of exercise can be suitable (or at least modified), and while you may need to pause for small periods due to different treatments, the goal can continue to be to get you back to what you enjoy.

If you or a loved one is going through cancer treatment and would like some advice on keeping active, we are here to help! Our friendly team of physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and exercise scientists can help to plan out exercise programs and provide Pilates and Clinical Exercise classes to keep you safe. If you have any questions or want to get in touch give our friendly Tarragindi Physiotherapy Clinic a call on 07 3706 3407. We would love to help you get moving!