Exercise is No Longer Optional: Why Movement Must Be Central to Cancer Care
For decades, cancer treatment has focused primarily on traditional therapies – surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. But a growing body of evidence reveals a powerful, often overlooked ally in the fight against cancer: exercise. It’s time we recognize exercise not as a “wellness option,” but as a vital, non-negotiable component of complete cancer care.
The International Society of Exercise oncology (ISEO) champions this shift, recognizing the profound benefits of structured, prescribed exercise. Their work, building on over 3,000 existing studies, is paving the way for better training of exercise oncology professionals and equipping clinicians with the tools to personalize exercise plans for your specific needs.
Why the Change? The Science is Clear.
We now understand how exercise impacts cancer at a biological level. it’s not just about feeling better – though that’s a important benefit. Exercise:
* Improves treatment tolerance: Helping you better withstand the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
* Boosts immune function: Strengthening your body’s natural defenses.
* Reduces fatigue: Counteracting the debilitating exhaustion often associated with cancer and its treatment.
* Enhances quality of life: improving your physical and emotional well-being.
* Perhaps improves survival rates: Emerging research suggests a link between exercise and better outcomes.
These aren’t just hopeful theories. The mechanisms are known, and the tools to deliver safe and effective exercise programs are readily available.
From Suggestion to Schedule: Making Exercise a Priority
The biggest hurdle isn’t if you should exercise, but how to integrate it into your care. Too often, movement is presented as an afterthought – a nice-to-have if you have the energy. This needs to change.
Think of exercise as you would any other prescribed therapy.It requires:
* A dedicated appointment on your calendar.
* A personalized plan developed with a qualified exercise professional. (Ideally, someone with specialized training in cancer rehabilitation.)
* Regular monitoring and adjustments based on your progress and needs.
* Integration with your entire care team. (Your oncologist, nurses, and other specialists should be aware of and support your exercise programme.)
Redefining survivorship & Quality of Life
When exercise is treated with the same rigor and intention as other cancer therapies, it has the power to transform your experiance. It’s about more than just surviving cancer; it’s about thriving despite it.
This means:
* maintaining strength and function throughout treatment.
* Recovering more quickly and completely.
* Reducing the risk of recurrence.
* Enjoying a higher quality of life, both during and after treatment.
Ultimately,integrating exercise into cancer care isn’t just about adding another tool to the arsenal. It’s about fundamentally redefining what survivorship and quality of life truly mean for you.
About the Author:
Maureen McBeth is a licensed physical therapist and certified lymphedema therapist with over 25 years of experience in oncology rehabilitation, clinical education, and patient advocacy. As Senior Medical Affairs Liaison at ImpediMed, she supports the integration of bioimpedance spectroscopy for early lymphedema detection and body composition analysis across medical disciplines.
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