Fighting Cancer With Exercise

The below article was written by David Haas, a cancer awareness program advocate and writer of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog.  Thank you David for sharing this valuable information and allowing me to post it on my fitness blog!

It’s no secret that regular physical exercise delivers benefits to all individuals, even those who have been diagnosed with cancer. Fitness improves quality of life by reducing fatigue, increasing energy levels, lowering body weight and improving sleep patterns. Regular physical activity is also linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stronger muscles and joints and a better chance at fighting off infection. If you don’t have a healthy exercise regimen in place, it’s never too late to start.

Whether you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, are currently undergoing treatment or are in remission, daily physical fitness is an ingredient for success. One of the most beneficial ways that exercise helps is by improving energy levels. Chronic fatigue and lack of energy are common complaints from cancer patients, which can both take a toll on the quality of life. The body is fighting hard after all, and the cancer medications have their own side effects that strip away energy.

Unfortunately, not having energy is like a domino effect, and those undergoing treatments for mesothelioma will begin to feel sluggish and depressed. It’s hard to fight the disease and feel happiness when you have these emotions running through you, which is why it’s critical that exercise is incorporated into a treatment routine as early as possible. By improving energy levels through fitness and exercise, cancer patients will feel better, be able to do more of the things they love and have stronger willpower to fight the disease.

A second benefit from regular fitness in cancer patients is better sleep. Exercise naturally improves sleep patterns because of the types of chemicals released in the brain. Not to mention, exercise reduces stress and lowers tension, two things that can keep anyone up during the middle of the night. Furthermore, exercise has the dual benefit of helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep without feeling groggy in the mornings.

Sleep is a critical element in the fight against cancer and will help you long after you’re in remission. The body needs time to repair itself, but sleeping patterns are more complex than we even know. A recent study by the Duke Clinical Research Institute found that there are sleeping challenges that are unique to cancer patients such as abnormal dreams, anxiety, night sweats and discomfort. Fortunately, the advantages of exercising can overcome many of these unique challenges that medications are unable to treat.

Regular fitness also has the direct benefit of improving the quality of life. It can do this for anyone regardless of whether or not they are fighting cancer, and it only becomes more significant for patients combating a disease. The types of chemicals that are released in the brain while working out are directly related to reducing tension, stress and fatigue. These chemicals act like natural painkillers and are also known to boost the mood. Studies have shown that exercise can be just as effective as certain types of antidepressants and that people who suffer from mental illness are more likely to show improvement when exercise is part of their regimen.

It’s important not to forget all the other benefits of exercise such as improved stamina, lower body weight, more self-esteem and confidence and more resistance to fighting off viruses and bacteria. It’s recommended to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day, but all new exercise programs should be discussed with a doctor beforehand. By incorporating fitness into your treatment plan, you will not only be improving your quality of life and bettering your health, but also you will be lowering your dependency on medication.