Exercise and cancer

There’s abundant evidence that exercise and eating well can help us age well and prevent or delay many diseases. The latest information shows that exercise for cancer patients can also lower the risk of cancer recurring.

Several recent studies suggest that higher levels of physical activity (150 minutes per week  or approximately 21 minutes per day of exercise, plus a couple of muscle-building sessions per week) are associated with a reduced risk of cancer coming back, and a longer survival after a cancer diagnosis. 150 minutes per week may sound overwhelming, so we recommend individualising an activity plan with your health care provider.

In studies of several different cancers, being overweight after completing treatment was associated with shorter survival times and higher risk of cancer recurrence. Sara Mansfield, M.S., a certified cancer exercise trainer at Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, says physical activity can help people before, during and after cancer treatment.

‘Other studies have found that exercise during treatment can actually change the tumour microenvironment and trigger stronger anti-tumour activity in your immune system. And very recent animal studies have found that exercise can lead to tumour reduction in rodents.’

Women who exercise after completing breast cancer treatment  live longer and have less recurrence, according to recent evidence. Colorectal cancer  survivors who exercised lived longer than those who didn’t, two recent clinical trials showed.

Some other benefits are:

• An increased level of fitness
• Greater muscle strength
• Leaner body mass
• Improvement in mood
• Boosted self-confidence
• Reduction in fatigue