Benefits of Physical Fitness for the Cancer Patient and Survivor

This is a key topic for me and David Haas generously offered to author this for us.

Coping with cancer and undergoing cancer treatment often creates stress on the body, mind and spirit. However, whether you are a cancer patient, survivor or you have just been diagnosed with cancer, you many find many benefits for your physical and emotional health by being involved in a fitness program.

Up until many years ago cancer patients and survivors were encouraged to take it easy, but studies have shown that exercise may help with treatment, recovery and living a fulfilled life. Some benefits that you may receive with the help of fitness include:

•Building a resistance to tolerate chemotherapy

•Improving strength in bones and joints while building muscle mass

•Boosting mood and self-esteem

•Reducing fatigue and improving sleep

•Maintaining or reducing weight to help fight off cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

•Decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence

You may be wondering what forms of exercises you should engage in as a cancer patient or survivor. There are three main types, namely stretching and flexibility, aerobics and resistance training. However, your fitness program would depend on factors such as the kind of cancer you have, the stage of the cancer and your treatment plan.

Resistance training and weight lifting may not be recommended for some cancers, including breast cancer or bone cancer that affects your skeletal system. However, swimming and maybe yoga are good exercise options. Yoga and Pilates are also recommended if you are undergoing mesothelioma treatment.

You should begin physical activities very soon after diagnosis, especially if you have been sedentary most of your life. Getting the okay from your doctor or medical team is important so that you may participate in exercises that will help rather than harm your treatment and recovery. Beginning slowly and gradually increasing intensity and duration is recommended.

Incorporating a practical fitness routine into your daily life is highly recommended to increase your vitality and aid recovery. The National Cancer Institute’s offers important information on the benefits that you may receive from being physically active during cancer.

David Haas is a good fellow and has his own blog here: http://haasblaag.blogspot.com/