Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Alleviation: Physical Activity Can Potentially Lessen Discomfort and Tiredness
Revamped Take:
Embrace the healing power of movement! New research unveils that exercise can be a game-changer for those battling cancer, offering relief from treatment side effects across multiple cancer types.
The results are crystal clear: both traditional exercises and mind-body workouts deliver benefits. In a world where treatments can wreak havoc on your health, exercise emerges as a beacon of hope.
Cancer treatments can leave you writhing in pain, grappling with mood swings, and suffering from inflamed tummies. But fear not, as studies affirm that moving your body can aid in your recovery.
Eager to delve deeper, scientists harnessed the power of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system to unearth the most recent evidence backing this claim.
They found that exercise packs a punch against the side effects of cancer treatment, reducing complications even after surgery.
With over 1.7 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021, researchers sought to widen the lens on exercise's impact on various cancer types. They scrutinized aerobic exercises, resistance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and mind-body exercises like yoga and tai chi.
The results painted a compelling picture, with 28.5% of the associations linked to mind-body exercises, 9.9% to aerobic and resistance exercises, 3.7% to HIIT, and 57.9% to other unspecified exercise methods.
As they sifted through the findings, they discovered that 54% of the associations between exercise and fewer therapy side effects were "statistically significant," and a mammoth 48% were backed by either high or moderate certainty evidence.
Exercise didn't just combat the physical battle; it also took aim at the mental war. Yoga, for instance, showed extraordinary results in elevating mental health.
In the realm of breast, lung, digestive system, blood, prostate, and other unspecified cancers, exercise shone as a beacon of hope. HIIT programs and a creative fusion of aerobic activities and resistance training took on cancer-related fatigue. Aerobic exercises alone teased the potential to minimize chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms associated with ovarian cancer.
Furthermore, exercise influenced body biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, insulin, and physiological functioning. It was also found that exercise could counteract chemotherapy's harsh effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.
So, the benefits of exercise extended far beyond the physical realm, tackling cognitive functioning, anxiety, and depression, while also reducing post-operative complications.
In summary, this umbrella study offers a wealth of evidence supporting the notion that exercise can help counterbalance some of the side effects of cancer treatment. Dive into a range of exercises to discover the relief they can offer!
Exercise: The Key to Improving Life for Cancer Patients
Bhavana Pathak, a distinguished hematologist and medical oncologist, spoke to Medical News Today about the review. She underscored the importance of guiding oncology professionals to counsel their patients on the benefits of increasing physical activity during their cancer journey.
Milan Sheth, a quadruple board-certified doctor, concurred, indicating that the paper reinforced the sentiment that exercise could significantly reduce various side effects associated with cancer and its treatment, compared to no exercise.
To summarize, don't shy away from the magic of exercise. Embrace it as an essential component of your cancer battle, finding solace and strength amidst the storm.
- Bhavana Pathak, a medical oncologist, emphasized the need for oncology professionals to advise their patients on the benefits of exercise during their cancer journey.
- Milan Sheth, a quadruple board-certified doctor, agreed, stating that the study strengthened the idea that exercise could significantly reduce various side effects of cancer treatment compared to no exercise.
- The review suggests that incorporating exercise into cancer treatment plans could provide relief from treatment side effects, especially during the recovery period after surgery.
- The study found that aerobic exercises, resistance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and mind-body exercises like yoga and tai chi all have positive effects on cancer patients.
- For breast cancer patients, HIIT programs and a combination of aerobic activities and resistance training could help combat cancer-related fatigue.
- Aerobic exercises may specifically aid in minimizing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms associated with ovarian cancer.
- Exercise's benefits extend beyond the physical realm, helping with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and cognitive functioning.
- Studies indicate that exercise can also counteract chemotherapy's harsh effects on the heart and cardiovascular system.
- Support for the benefits of exercise in managing cancer side effects is statistically significant, backed by both high and moderate certainty evidence.
- In the context of health and wellness, focusing on fitness and exercise can be an essential part of a cancer patient's overall care plan, providing support in multiple medical conditions, such as leukemia, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
- As a key component of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan, regular exercise can offer cancer patients numerous health benefits, emotional support, and improved quality of life.
