Cancer Survivors - does exercise help ?

Reading Melinda Irwin's paper "Physical Activity Intervention for Cancer Survivors" is like staring at the dangerous end of a gun barrel. What comes out is not going to be pleasant - maybe downright nasty. Best listen to the message.



The message is simple "Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are highly prevalent in cancer survivors, and a growing number of publications have shown statistically and clinically significant associations between low levels of physical activity, obesity and cancer recurrence and death. Adoption and maintenance of physical activity is a difficult challenge for healthy adults, and is likely to be even more difficult after a cancer diagnosis."


The Journal of the American Medical association (JAMA) carried the article Physical Activity and Survival after Breast Cancer Diagnosis. My wife has survived breast cancer and it is the kind of article that grabs my eye!

Their summary: "Physical activity also has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer. An expert panel of the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization estimated a 20% to 40% decrease in the risk of developing breast cancer among the most physically active women, regardless of menopausal status, type, or intensity of activity. Physical activity has been linked to lower levels of circulating ovarian hormones, which may explain the relationship between physical activity and breast cancer. Lower estrogen levels among physically active women with breast cancer could potentially improve survival, although few data exist to support this hypothesis.<sup>"


The CA - a Cancer Journal for Clinicians - published Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment, 32 pages of what you have to do.

Their view is "Physical activity may have benefits throughout the spectrum of the cancer experience, but cancer survivors are often more likely to become sedentary for several reasons. Survivors tend to decrease their physical activity levels after their diagnosis of cancer, and most continue lower levels of activity through treatment and beyond, rarely returning to their pre-diagnosis levels of activity."</sup>


Anna Schwartz is in do doubt about exercise and cancer: "Exercise should be a regular part of a comprehensive care plan for all cancer patients, regardless of age and physical ability. Anyone can exercise, if the exercise is tailored to the ability of each person and progresses slowly, in a step-by-step fashion. Cancer patients can, and should be encouraged to exercise the day they are diagnosed. The advice to get more rest is a myth, and not the best advice for cancer patients."