Exercise may help recovery

Sunday 31 October, 2010

Reviewed by: Jessica Passador and Kate Kaegi, Oncology Dieticians at Austin Health

On this page: How can exercise help? | What if I don't feel like exercising? | How soon after treatment can I start exercising? | How much exercise is enough? | When you shouldn't exercise

Exercising can help people cope with cancer treatment. Your family may want you to rest all the time, but this may not be the best thing for you. Exercise if you are able to, and if your doctor says it's safe.

How can exercise help?

Exercise helps in several ways.

  • It can help you to feel in charge of your life.
  • It can increase your energy and reduce fatigue.
  • For some people on chemotherapy, exercise can reduce nausea and vomiting.
  • It can help digestion and reduce constipation.
  • It can increase strength, flexibility and heart and lung function.
  • It can improve your mood.
  • If you've had a stay in hospital for a few days, you'll be a little weaker than you were before. Your doctor, or possibly a hospital physiotherapist or occupational therapist, will help you plan to become active again. The plan will include regular exercise - a short, sharp burst is no good!

Exercise can include walking, swimming, running, dancing, yoga, aerobics, tai chi and cycling. It also includes competitive sport, and activities around the home, like mowing the lawn and vacuuming. Some of these are easier than others. What you choose to do will depend on your fitness, what you want to do, and what your doctor says is safe for you to do. 

For people who were active in a particular way before having cancer, it's a good idea to stay with what you know. People who used to exercise vigorously may need to do less, especially if their fitness has reduced because of bed rest.

There's growing evidence to suggest that regular exercise after a cancer diagnosis can reduce the chance of the cancer coming back. This is particularly true for women who've been treated for early breast cancer, and for men and women who've been treated for early stage bowel cancer.

What if I don't feel like exercising?

A lot of people who are having or have had cancer treatment get fatigued. You should not overexert yourself when you feel like this - don't force yourself to exercise a lot if your body is really weary.

However, some exercise is possible for almost everyone. It may just be a walk around the garden or to the end of the street to begin with.

How soon after treatment can I start exercising?

This is a question to discuss with your doctor. It will depend on what sort of treatment you've had (or are having).

Doing too much too soon - and finding it too hard - means that some people give up altogether.

How much exercise is enough?

Your doctor, or possibly a physiotherapist or occupational therapist, will advise you about how much exercise is adequate. 

When you shouldn't exercise

Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Tell your doctor how much you plan to exercise and what you plan to do, and follow his or her advice.

Do not continue exercising if you have:

  • light-headedness or dizziness
  • excessive shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • excessive tiredness
  • persistent joint or muscle pain.
If you get any of these symptoms, tell your doctor.

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