I have received a thoughtful article by David Haas concerning the benefits of exercise as it relates to cancer patients and their families and friends.
Please peruse at your leisure. Any questions or comments you may direct to David or myself. David's blog is linked to his byline, and his email is contained in the byline.
Fitness Helps Fights Cancer
The goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells. The common desire for any cancer patient is to be cured of their condition. Regardless, no goals can be accomplished over a short period of time. It is a process, and patients must understand that. However, there are certain things patients can do to help speed the process, such as exercise.
Cancer.gov explains exactly why physical activity is important. Moreover, the article lists how exercise helps individual cancers.
Of course, exercise is beneficial in multiple ways. In fact, it can be most beneficial to patients with rare cancers, like mesothelioma. Rare cancers typically require extensive surgeries and radiation treatment as well as chemotherapy. As a result, patients with cancers, such as a mesothelioma prognosis, may suffer major side effects including, but not limited to, lethargy, decreased appetite, swelling, pain, and even potential short-term degradation of cognitive abilities
Cancer.gov explains exactly why physical activity is important. Moreover, the article lists how exercise helps individual cancers.
Of course, exercise is beneficial in multiple ways. In fact, it can be most beneficial to patients with rare cancers, like mesothelioma. Rare cancers typically require extensive surgeries and radiation treatment as well as chemotherapy. As a result, patients with cancers, such as a mesothelioma prognosis, may suffer major side effects including, but not limited to, lethargy, decreased appetite, swelling, pain, and even potential short-term degradation of cognitive abilities
Although fitness is extremely beneficial for in helping the body fight rare cancers, general exercise will help the body recover from treatments for all types of cancer including breast cancer, colon cancer, and even skin cancer. Here are some ways that fitness helps fight cancer.
It improves bone strength
Exercise promotes healthy bones and joints. During cancer treatment, it is not uncommon for the radiation to weaken muscles and bones, leaving patients feeling sore or achy. In fact, these side effects can also cause insomnia, but by exercising a little each day, patients can actually reduce these side effects.
It lowers blood pressure
Cancer causes stress both mentally and physically. The treatments put extra pressure on the body and forces the immune system to work extra hard to repair damaged tissues and cells, unfortunately causing stress. The stress causes high blood pressure, which can make a cancer patient's health worse.
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By doing regular aerobics, patients stimulate their blood flow, thus reducing blood pressure.
It releases beneficial hormones.
Studies show that exercise releases certain hormones, called endorphins. Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter, which send electrical signals to the body's nervous system.
Endorphins are beneficial for cancer patients in two main ways. First, because they interact with the brain's opiate receptors, it helps reduce pain. It is like morphine and codeine. However, because it is natural to the body, there is no risk of addiction, unlike actual morphine and codeine drugs.
Second, endorphins lead to feelings of euphoria. Most people refer to this as "the runner's high." This euphoria promotes positive thoughts, feelings and emotions, which are essential to cancer patients. Additionally, these feelings of euphoria help other body functions, such as other hormones and the immune system.
Conclusion
Exercise is so beneficial to cancer patients that many cancer clinics offer exercise treatment programs to its patients. It is one of many holistic therapy treatment programs that many doctors suggest for cancer patients of all stages: diagnosis, treatment and remission.
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