Cancer & Exercise

Cancer patients benefit from supervised exercise

According to the American Cancer Society, there were over 560,000 deaths caused by cancer in 2010. While the death toll remains high, new reports show that cancer survival rates have increased over the past several years due to better treatments, fewer side effects and better quality of life while they are receiving treatment for cancer. In a study recently conducted at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, researchers explored the effects of an exercise program on individuals receiving treatment for various forms of cancer. The five-year study included 386 cancer patients who took part in a supervised exercise program while undergoing cancer treatment. The exercise program involved two weekly sessions for a total of twelve weeks; sessions involved aerobic exercise, resistance training and stretching. Researchers conducted physical assessments before and after each session and collected survey information to assess changes in quality of life. The data clearly indicate that a physical activity program involving cardiovascular exercise, resistance training and flexibility significantly improves physical function and various measures of quality of life in people undergoing treatment for cancer as compared with people who are not active while undergoing treatment. Noble, et al. (2011). UW WELL-FIT: The impact of supervised exercise programs on physical capacity and quality of life in individuals receiving treatment for cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, epub.