Lack of physical activity can adversely affect human health. To have a good and healthy body, you must have physical activities to preserve it. Exercise can reduce inflammation, improve metabolism, help regulate blood sugar, and enhance the immune system.
Cancer, one of the leading causes of death worldwide that comes up in different forms, can be linked to lack of exercise. However, some studies strongly support the theory that regular physical activity is associated with reducing various cancer types.
With or without cancer, clinicians encourage patients to incorporate exercise in their lifestyle. Moreover, higher intensity activity has more benefits than light activity.
How Does Exercise Reduce Cancer Risk
By integrating physical activity into your daily routine, it can help you in maintaining your weight.
This weight maintenance can lessen the risk of cancer. Here are some examples that emphasize the importance of exercise in minimizing the risks of cancer.
- Colon or Rectal Cancer: Through physical activity, it can help you manage your waste and keep your digestive system healthy.
- Tumor Growth: By being active, we can maintain our blood sugar. Insulin can stimulate the growth of cells, resulting in cancer.
- Breast Cancer: High-intensity physical activity can decrease estrogen levels because a high amount of estrogen in the blood is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer, mostly for menopause women.
A one-hour moderate physical activity or 30-minute vigorous activity is recommended to decrease your cancer risks. A moderate-intensity activity can cause an increase in breathing and heart rate, which is right for you. It can be brisk walking, jogging, or cycling.
In contrast, the vigorous activity includes aerobics, basketball, football, or circuit training. If you are at home, you can still perform physical activities by doing workouts and using equipment to help you do your chosen workout.
Advice for Cancer Patients During Treatment and Recovery Phase
If you are dealing with cancer, you might opt to improve your well-being by being physically active. If you are worried that it is not safe, many research types have proven that it can be beneficial for cancer patients during their treatment.
A group of researchers reviewed several studies involving women with stage 2 cancers found out that when they incorporated a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise, they improved their overall health.
More studies provide evidence that by engaging in physical activities, cancer patients feel better. Some of the benefits include reducing pain, depression, and anxiety and an increase in strength.
Exercise Program During and After Cancer Treatment
There are various exercises that you integrate into your routine, safe during and after cancer treatment. Here are some of the exercise you can begin with:
- Start with breathing exercises. By beginning with this exercise, you prepare your body for a more intense exercise. Moreover, some cancer patients experience difficulty in breathing, and these exercises can improve them. It will keep you active throughout your workout routine. Breathing exercises can also decrease your stress and anxiety.
- Work on your flexibility by stretching. This exercise improves your stance while performing the activity. It is beneficial in increasing the flow of oxygen and blood to your body. Additionally, this exercise is helpful in your recovery period because of the limitation you had when you are undergoing radiation therapy.
- Perform an aerobic exercise. This type of exercise increases your heart rate, which enhances your lungs and heart. It can help you in lessening your fatigue during and after the treatment.
Precautionary Measures
Before performing an exercise program, it would be best if you consult your doctor first. They can recommend what type of exercise you can do and how many minutes you need to exercise. If you have anemia or low red blood cell count, you cannot do physical activity.
You must take precautions while engaging in physical activities, especially when you are experiencing the side effects of your treatment. You can also check out this in-depth article for more advice on performing physical activities while at home.
Build your level of physical activities slowly to avoid injury. It would be best to perform your exercises in a safe environment to avoid the spread of germs or viruses. You must also listen to your body and stay hydrated.
