Hi blog-viewers! Below is a wonderful article about how staying physically fit can be beneficial for people going through cancer treatments by Melanie Bowen...

Have an Active Cancer Treatment

Every person can benefit from regular exercise, but people who are undergoing cancer treatments can expect their exercise routines to be even more beneficial. There are many exercises that cancer patients can participate in, including running. Mesothelioma, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer are three of the most aggressive cancers; however, research has shown that running and being physically fit will help people to respond better to the treatment associated with these types of cancers. Although most cancer patients will not be able to participate in hours of strenuous exercises, light exercises will prove to be very beneficial to them. Regardless of how much running the patients do during their treatments, their main goal should be to keep their bodies active. Once the patients begin to easily handle their light exercises, they can increase the speed and intensity of their workouts.

Weight Control

One of the best benefits of running during cancer treatments is weight management. If people are overweight and have to undergo cancer treatments, the side effects will be much worse than someone who is of a normal weight. Consequently, many overweight cancer patients find themselves having to run daily in order to get their weight to an acceptable level, and many patients with a normal weight continue to run in order to keep their weight at its current level.

Toning Muscles

During cancer treatments, many of the muscles will begin to weaken. This will happen for many reasons. First, the person is sitting much more than usual. Second, the treatment is causing the body to become weaker. With running, the person will strengthen the muscles in all parts of his or her body.  Once these muscles are strengthened, the person will be less likely to experience broken bones or lacking the strength to undergo the treatment.

Organ Functions

Regular running will also increase the function of the patient’s heart and lungs. During chemotherapy and radiation, a lot of the organs will be weakened. As a result, the patients will experience fatigue, and in some cases, patients can experience restlessness, too. By exercising, patients who are fatigued will begin to develop more energy; on the other hand, restless patients will begin to sleep better at night. Getting adequate sleep is extremely important, and once the body is able to rest efficiently, it will begin to repair itself from the weak state that the cancer treatment has caused. Exercise has the ability to offset many effects that come along with cancer treatment.

Mental Health

Not only does exercise benefit a patient’s physical wellbeing but, it also significantly contributes to his or her mental health. One of the main ways that it does this is through relieving stress. Cancer is an extremely challenging disease; however, undergoing treatment for this disease can be even more challenging. Consequently, many patients will find themselves in a state of depression. However, when patients are active throughout the treatment process, their brain will be able to counteract the negative effects the cancer may cause. In some hospitals and cancer facilities, doctors and nurses use exercise to motivate the patients. Most patients desire to feel better, and the hospital staff helps to motivate them through exercise routines and the impact they can have on mood. Exercise releases endorphins into the body, which help improve mood and relaxation. As a result, patients are able to look forward to the day in which they have regained their health and returned to their normal activities.

Reduces Risk for Cancer to Return

The final reason that it is important to exercise during cancer treatment is because it will reduce the chances of the cancer recurrence. Cancer has the ability to spread to other parts of the body; however, by exercising, the body’s immune system will continuously strengthen. As a result, the body will then have the ability to continue to fight off any cancer cells that may try to invade the body.

Before the cancer patients begin to run, jog, swim, or participate in any other type of exercise, it is important for them to talk with their oncologist. Since some cancer treatments are very aggressive, patients will be limited to the amount of exercise that they can do each day. By consulting with their oncologist, they will know the safest exercise routine that they should undergo.