Staying physically active on a regular basis is important to not only have a fit body but also to keep it prepared for any fatal attacks, especially on the immunity system. Physical exercise can be something as simple as a half-an-hour long walk to complex fitness routines. Cancer, being the most complicated and fatal disease, can be fought against through physical activity. Let us discuss how crucial it is in relation with Cancer:
Before Cancer
Regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of cancer. Of course, many factors run alongside this to create a direct relationship with the cause, but it definitely has an inverse effect on the chances. Some studies have proven a few of the major cancers like Bladder, Breast, Renal (Kidney), Esophageal, and Colon cancers have significantly lesser chances of occurring in the bodies of physically active people.
Exercise is linked with reduced occurrence of cancer in following ways:
● It helps you lose excessive fat, meaning prevent obesity, which is risk factor for several cancers
● It also helps our body in regulating hormone levels like estrogen. Cancers like colon and breast are associated with increased levels of sex hormones.
● It speeds up the process of digestion i.e. makes the food travel fast through the intestines which reduces the exposure of colon to harmful substances
● It prevents high blood levels of insulin, which develops and progresses cancer
An exercise regime must involve both muscle and aerobic training. It should also maintain levels of moderate and vigorous exercises.
With Cancer
All cancer patients are recommended to include mild amounts- only about 30 minutes- of regular exercise in their routines. It depends on the condition of the patient's body, the kind and stage of cancer and personal medical history. Therefore, a program must be built in accordance with their physical capacity and it must not result in exceeding that so as to avoid collapsing. This will involve blood and heart tests along with exercise trials.
Exercise during treatment helps in reducing inflammation, regulating blood-sugar levels and sex hormones, and also improves metabolism. The main purpose of this is to stay active and moving and also reduce fatigue.
After Cancer
Going through cancer and the treatment for survival brings major changes to your body. Cancer survivors have to also look out for the return of cancer in any shape or form. Regular physical exercise, again, helps reduce the risk of cancer making a return to your body. In cancers like breast cancer, being overweight post-cancer treatment increases the chances of cancer recurrence and shorter survival time.
Experts suggest the survivors to start regularly exercising as soon as possible after the treatment. It not only helps you physically but also emotionally by reducing stress, depression, anxiety and fatigue. In consultation with your doctors, you must include both aerobic and weight training for 30-60 minutes, 5 days a week. Also, as your body has undergone an experience that makes it sensitive to vigorous activity, start slow and move up gradually in your fitness regime.
You can choose various types of exercises, whichever you find most fun in. It could be yoga, dance/zumba, swimming or any other sport you are into. Make a family member or friend join you in this. That will make it more enjoyable and give you moral support.
