Cancer and cancer treatments can cause a person feeling tired all the time. Cancer patients would feel too tired to exercise. However, research shows that regular and moderate physical activity can help a cancer patient to cope with the disease and the side effects of treatment.
What Are The Benefits of Exercise?
Physical activity can boost the energy levels of a person who has cancer. Moderate regular exercise can:
- Prompt the body to make more red blood cells, which increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood
- Strengthen the cardiovascular system and improve blood supply to every cell of the body
- Increase muscle tone and strength
- Improve stamina, which makes daily activities less tiring to perform
- Reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
- Increase appetite
- Encourage deeper and more refreshing sleep
- Reduce the pain of cancer because exercise stimulates the brain to release endorphins, which are opiate-like pain-killing chemicals
- Stabilize mood – depression and anxiety are known to cause fatigue
- Reduce the need for drugs used in the treatment of depression and anxiety because some of these drugs may cause fatigue
What Are The Cancer-Fighting Benefits Of Exercise?
- Encourage the body to produce more white blood cells
- Boost functioning of the immune system
- Reduce the time spent in hospital in some cases
- Increase survival rates in some cases.
What Are The The Appropriate Forms Of Exercise?
Almost any type of exercise may be appropriate, these includes:
- Walking, jogging, running
- Dancing
- Tai Chi
- Cycling
- Weight training
- Team sports
- Gardening
- Yoga
- Swimming
Quick Notes:
- Physical activity can boost the energy levels of a cancer patient.
- Regular exercise can improve the functioning of immune system and may increase survival rates in some cases.
- Aim for 5 to 20 minutes of moderate intensity exercise everyday (if possible).
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