From Runner’s World – June 2011: Special Report: Outrunning Cancer
“For the cancer-stricken, running is an expression–perhaps the ultimate celebration–of life.”
What it Takes…to Outrun Cancer - Stories of amazing runners fighting battles with cancer.
From the Baltimore Sun – May 12, 2011: Running Down Cancer
“The running helped me fight cancer and tolerate treatment…”
USA Today – April 20, 2011: Exercise is Springboard to Recovery for Cancer Patient
“There is a growing body of research showing exercise not only
helps with the side effects of treatment but also decreases the recurrence risk and improves overall survival.”
From the American College of Sports Medicine Roundtable on Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors:
“Although there are specific risks associated with cancer treatments that need to be considered when survivors exercise, there seems to be consistent evidence that exercise is safe during and after cancer treatment.” ACSM Exercise Guidelines
From the 33rd Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society Ruth van Gerpen, RN, MS, OCN, as reported by HemOnc Today, June 10, 2008:
Exercise helps improve cancer-related fatigue: In cancer patients, 20-30 minute sessions of mixed exercise 4 times per week together with an educational, supportive care program significantly improved fatigue, depression and overall quality of life.
Exercise eases the burden of cancer-related fatigue, depression and decreased quality of life, according to Ruth van Gerpen, RN, MS, OCN, a clinical nurse specialist. “The prevalence of fatigue is between 60% and 96% among patients sill on treatment,” van Gerpen said. “Fatigue can persist in patients with cancer for months or years following completion of treatment.”
Results from prior research have supported the use of exercise as an intervention to reduce fatigue, according to van Gerpen. To test this intervention, she and colleagues initiated the LifeSpring Program, a 12-week exercise and education program for people with cancer diagnosed in the past two years or who are still on active treatment. It was designed to impact fatigue associated with cancer and cancer treatment.
There was a statistically significant improvement seen between pre-program and post-program outcomes. Patients enrolled in the program also benefited from the supportive environment, sharing and discussion, and a sense of belonging and being understood, van Gerpen said.
Benefits of Exercise During and After Cancer Treatment
- Reduced risk of infection
- Stimulated immune system
- Increased energy
- Improved tolerance of treatment
- Reduced risk of developing some cancers
- Improved quality of life
- Confidence!
