Exercise key to recovery in cancer

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDAug 8 2011

According to a new study exercise may also benefit cancer patients. Macmillan Cancer Support (a British cancer charity) report called ‘Move More’ says that cancer survivors are at risk for relapse or other long term health benefits because they are not active enough.

According to the report, by doing recommended levels of exercise, the risk of disease recurrence and related death can be reduced by 40% for breast cancer survivors, 50% for bowel cancer survivors, and the risk of death for prostate cancer patients can be reduced by 30%. The report also states that some of the side effects from the disease and its treatments can be reduced. Macmillan's report, Move More, says that of the two million cancer survivors in the UK, around 1.6 million are not physically active enough.

Ciaran Devane, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support said, “The evidence in our report, Move More, shows just how important physical activity is to the recovery process of cancer. Yet very little attention to its benefits is given by health professionals or by those commissioning health services. It is essential that physical activity services are available and 'prescribed' to all cancer patients.”

The American Cancer Society has taken it upon itself to spread the word by advocating fitness on its site and giving examples of way to get active. They also state that regular physical activity can lower the risk of getting cancer. Both organizations recommend 150 minutes per week. In the report, the American College of Sports Medicine also recommends that exercise is safe during and after most types of cancer treatment and says survivors should avoid inactivity. Getting active, the report says, can help people overcome the effects of cancer and its treatments, such as fatigue and weight gain.

The report says, “The evidence review shows that physical exercise does not increase fatigue during treatment, and can in fact boost energy after treatment. It can also lower their chances of getting heart disease and osteoporosis. Also, doing recommended levels of physical activity may reduce the chance of dying from the disease. It may also help reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.”

Jane Maher, chief medical officer of Macmillan Cancer Support and a leading clinical oncologist said, “The advice that I would have previously given to one of my patients would have been to 'take it easy'. This has now changed significantly because of the recognition that if physical exercise were a drug, it would be hitting the headlines.” Martin Ledwick, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, was a little more cautious. “Anything that improves wellbeing and reduces treatment side effects for cancer survivors has to be a good thing. But the evidence that exercise has a bearing on survival is not conclusive. It is important to remember that no two cancer patients are the same, so rehabilitation programmes that include physical activity will need to be tailored to the individual.”

However, despite the importance that exercise has been given in the healthcare industry, America remains inactive. According to the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative, 56% of adults do not meet the federal physical activity guidelines that were put out in 2008. EIM also found that physicians who were not physically active themselves were less likely to advocate exercise for their patients. It said that 40% of US primary care doctors do not meet the federal standards, so they fail to prescribe exercise.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health said it was vital that people with cancer are given the support to lead an active life. “Physical activity and a healthy lifestyle can impact very positively on cancer outcomes and, as part of the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative, we are working with Macmillan to integrate physical activity services into cancer care pilot sites. Locally led initiatives such as Let's Get Moving are also well placed to signpost cancer patients to community-based physical activity opportunities,” they said. Over 11 million Americans have cancer in the U.S.