Fighting fit: How exercise helps cancer patients

In 2001 research from the Scottish Cancer Foundation suggested regular exercise could halve the risk of bowel cancer, while cancernet.co.uk reports that being inactive and overweight could account for an estimated 14% of male 20% of female cancer deaths in the UK. Sir Muir Day, chief knowledge officer of the NHS sums it up succinctly: “The evidence is getting stronger and stronger; if you don’t smoke the single best thing you can do to reduce your risk of a number of common diseases [including cancer] is to take more exercise”

Exercise is essential for general well being, but is also important in preventing cancer and fighting established cancer and its side effects, with recent research having revealed that physical activity can improve psychological health and help patients with the effects of cancer.

For those fighting cancer, exercise can be a great way to slow the rate of some cancers, reduces the risk of re-occurrence, speeds up recovery after therapy and improves cure according to cancer website www.cancerinfo.co.uk. During treatments exercise improves fatigue, reduces the risk of blood clots (DVT and pulmonary embolus), and helps avoid constipation and later on bowel adhesions. It also helps avoid weight gain, particularly during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Not only does exercise have specific anti-cancer properties, it also improves confidence, mood, brain function and reduces anxiety.

In response to research as to the benefits of exercise to cancer sufferers and survivors, the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Glasgow introduced an easy exercise class to their programme – and it’s playing an integral part in giving patients the self-assurance to start exercising again.

The recently completed six-week course of gentle exercise had a phenomenal reception, and received great feedback from its numerous participants. Happily, this means the exercise classes will become a more permanent feature at Maggie’s Glasgow, and will be accompanied by a weekly Moving Meditation class, involving guided relaxation which will help with the symptoms of stress and fatigue.

Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres across the UK hold many classes for cancer patients, each with the aim of improving wellbeing- to find out more visit www.maggiescentres.org. Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £557,000 for Maggie’s- find out how you too can help extremely worthwhile charities at www.postcodelottery.com.