Physical Activity in Cancer

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Original Editor - Samara Paull

Top Contributors - Vidya Acharya, Wendy Walker, Adam Vallely Farrell, Kapil Narale, Tony Lowe, Kim Jackson, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Khloud Shreif, George Prudden, Tarina van der Stockt, Rucha Gadgil, Nicole Hills, Lucinda hampton, Giulia Neculaes, Admin and Michelle Lee  

Introduction

Decrease in physical fitness has been reported in both patients and survivors of childhood and adult cancers. This decline in physical activity is secondary to the side effects of both the disease and its treatment. Cancer survivors have an increased risk for negative health and psychosocial effects following treatment. Beyond people with cancer, insufficient physical activity is the leading risk factors of death worldwide.

By addressing physical activity and stress reduction techniques patients can control some of these modifiable risk factors. Furthermore, such adverse effects are aggravated by physical inactivity (such as reduced bone mineral density, loss of muscle mass, increased BMI and impaired motor performance) therefore more emphasis is being placed on integrating exercise and activity both during and after treatment.

With the increasing number of people diagnosed with cancer and surviving it, quality of life outcomes are increasing in importance with numerous studies supporting physical activity and its positive impact. In one systematic review, exercise and physical activity had a clinically relevant positive impact on health related quality of life both during and after medical intervention in people with cancer.

Definitions

Physical Activity

The World Health Organization defines physical activity [PA] as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires increased energy expenditure and can be done in any environment such as at work or during household tasks. Walking, biking, swimming and playing sports are all examples of physical activity.

Besides having significant health benefits, PA is also preventative in many diseases including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. General recommendations for daily physical activity are based on age and can be found at this link: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/9789241599979/en/

Cancer

Cancer is a related group of diseases in which cell’s in the body begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. It can spread to other areas of the body. The National Cancer Institute states there are over 100 types of cancer based on its location in the body and can be found in both children and adults.

Benefits of PA for Individuals with Cancer

Physical activity is not only beneficial for patients following activity cancer treatment but also during to help with the negative side effects secondary to the treatment itself. It has a positive impact on both physical and psychosocial factors such as fatigue, low mood and stress, overall deconditioning and loss of independence. Specific programs also provide benefits following treatments including post surgical tumor removal and lymphoedema management.

PA as prevention for cancer

Physical activity has also been linked to the prevention of certain cancers including Breast, Colon, Endometrial and Prostate, as well as some cancers associated with increased weight gain. It also prevents the re-occurrence of the same cancers.

Please see: http://fyss.se/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/19.-Cancer.pdf for more information on the biological mechanisms of physical activity on cancer.

Resources

The Motivate2Move website, created by Wales Deanery, has a very useful section on Physical Activity effects in Cancer.

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References

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