Matthew Kent Exercise Physiologist Providing Individual Consultation and Group Sessions at Advanced Physio

A New Way of Thinking for Quality of Life in Cancer Patients

How keeping active can improve well being and reduce the likelihood of recurrence
Abstract: Staying physically active can play a major role at every stage of cancer treatment, from initial diagnosis to remission or palliative care. It can act at both a physiological level, by reducing the risk of secondary complications such as fatigue and lymphedema and a psychological level, by improving mood and social interaction. Exercise and Cancer Prevention
Within Australia each year there are an estimated 108,000 new cancer cases and 41,000 registered cancer deaths each year. While the causes for many cancers remain unknown, lifestyle factors such as physical activity levels are considered contributory and modifiable for some. The evidence supporting physical activity as a means of cancer prevention is now considered strong and convincing for cancers including colon/colorectal and breast, probable for prostate and possible for others. Staying active during and following treatment can at least prevent decline and/or improve many of the common side-effects of the treatment as well as reduce hospitalisation, increase chemotherapy compliance rates and improve stress and anxiety levels. 6 It is now understood that exercise during this stage, does at worst not exacerbate fatigue but that failure to engage in physical activity could lead to increased fatigue. Strategies that employ rest or gentle exercise to overcome fatigue fail to stimulate the neuromuscular, endocrine, immune and skeletal system and evoke symptom reduction and health enhancement.

Exercise Considerations 7,8

Exercise programming will depend on the type, location and stage of cancer and the treatment type being undertaken by the patient. Individualised exercise testing is the key to developing an appropriate routine Any co-morbidities need to be factored into programming Consideration needs to be made regarding the patients progression through cancer treatment stages. During stages when the patient is immunosuppressed, risk of infection has to be minimised Dual goals should be considered to accommodate for both good and bad times throughout treatment An Accredited Exercise Physiologist can provide a safe physical activity routine, based on exercise testing, and up to date guidelines for your patient no matter their current fitness levels. At Advanced Physiotherapy and Injury Prevention our Exercise Physiologist can run individual sessions or group classes based on patients needs and your recommendations. Our fully equipped gym and circuit room are available to patients undergoing treatment with us.

Exercise and Cancer Recovery

The treatments needed to fight cancer often come with complications such as, loss of function, reduced bone mass and body composition, lymphedema, CVD, T2DM with the most common being fatigue. 5 The time between diagnosis and treatment is typically minimal; therefore clinicians are more likely to play a significant role during and following treatment in the control of treatment related symptoms.

Advanced Physio & Injury Prevention Doctors only phone line (02) 4954 7993 General Phone (02) 4954 5330 Fax (02) 4954 6380 advancedphysio.com.au Hillsborough Centre, Unit 2 Building 2, 335 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay, NSW, 2283